Dill and other herbs are almost incompatible. Still, it is wonderful to eat dill. With fish, but also in other dishes. In addition, it helps against flatulence. Dill, a very special herb.
What does dill look like?
Dill looks like a thin twig with very fine leaves that are hardly distinguishable as such. They actually look more like needles.
The taste of dill
The taste of dill is very refined. In the distance it looks like a chore, but it is spicier and yet fresher at the same time. Freshly picked dill even has a bit of a citrus flavor. In dried form, that taste is almost impossible to recognize.
Dill in the kitchen: as old as the era and before
Dill has been used in cooking for centuries and centuries. It has been proven that dill was cultivated in Switzerland as far back as the Stone Age for its good qualities in the kitchen and beyond.
Where does dill come from?
Dill comes from northern countries, where it is cold. It is therefore widely used in Eastern European areas. The cuisines that use dill the most are:
- Scandinavian cuisine
- Baltic cuisine
- German cuisine
Dill in Egypt
However, warmer regions also have the herb. Sprigs of dill have been found near the tomb of the Egyptian Faroa Amenhotep II (1400 BC). Dill is also mentioned in the Bible. The Pharisees paid their taxes with the herb.
Medicinal effect of dill
Dill has many medicinal properties, it is said. These include:
- It has a numbing effect. The Egyptians turned dill into a pain reliever. Also in Europe it must have been known that dill has a calming effect, because the Saxon word dilla or dillan means to calm down.
- It is good for digestion. Those who have given heavy and fat can chew a sprig of dill. Like peppermint, it seems to relieve stomach pain. It also offers a solution for flatulence.
- It has a strengthening effect. At least that’s what the Roman gladiators thought. They used mountains of dill in almost all their food.
Preserving the taste of dill: do not boil
Those who want to preserve the taste of dill should absolutely not boil the herb. Those who want to preserve the taste in its purest form eat it fresh and raw. Moreover, the effect of dill is canceled out if other spices are added to a dish. Dill is therefore best combined with just some pepper and some salt.