Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Fresh chamomile can sometimes be found at your local farmers market.
Current Facts
Chamomile, botanic name Anthemis nobilis, is the common name given to several petite daisy-like plants within the aromatic Composite (sunflower) family, Asteraceae. This is the largest family of flowering plants with about 20,000 species, including herbs, oilseed plants, vegetables and salad plants. There are several cultivars that share the chamomile common name, often labeled by region or characteristic, including Roman, Moroccon, Cape, Corn, Dyer's and the ancestral variety, wild chamomile AKA Pineapple weed. Not all chamomile are used for culinary purposes.
Description/Taste
Chamomile plants are made up of thin feathery branched leavs and erect fuzzy green stems that produce numerous flowering heads. The florets are flat with triangular white petals and conical sunflower yellow centers. The flowers produce strong, sweet, warming and herbaceous aromatics and flavors.
Nutritional Value
Chamomile has been used for centuries for medicinal uses as a homeopathic remedy. It is used as a sleep-aid, stress reducer and anti-inflammatory compress.
Applications
Chamomile yields a large concentration of volatile essential oils that are extracted to flavor ice creams, confectionaries, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The most common application of the flower heads is as an infusion to create chamomile tea. Heating the tea enhances the flavor of the chamomile by rapidly releasing the flower's aromatic molecules. The florets can also be used as an herbal element in salads or as a garnish alongside other herbs including tarragon and lavender to balance the taste of cold-tasting foods such as apples, cucumbers, mint, celery and fennel.
Geography/History
Wild chamomile is native to East Europe, Africa and Asia; its distribution has not changed since discovery. Culinary chamomile is native to southern England, occurs naturally throughout Europe and has been distributed throughout temperate North America. Chamomile is planted as a companion plant and has been referred to as a garden's physician. It contributes to the health of companion plants by deterring pests and preventing soil disease. It is often planted near cucumbers, alliums and most herbs. One seed can yield a single flower. Cultivated chamomile prefers rich, mossy, dark soil and full to partial sun. In Europe, especially England it is comon to see an entire lawn or garden made up of chamomile.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Fresh Chamomile. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Fresh Chamomile using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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San Diego Public Market Near San Diego, California, United States About 11 days ago Spotter's comments : Chamomile available at two tables today. Little Italy Mercato Near San Diego, California, United States About 40 days ago Spotter's comments : Very floral chamomile at the market today. |
