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Chamomile tea is a fragrant infusion of fresh or dried chamomile flowers. Since early Egyptian times, it is used as a traditional strewing herb. It is one of the nine sacred herbs named in the Anglo-Saxon medical texts and prayers, and praised as "plants' physician" for its healing abilities. The herb belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family of flowering plants, which emit apple-like aroma. Flowers handpicked particularly during early morning hours for making herbal tea. There are several varieties of chamomile grown naturally in the wild, under temperate climates of Northern Hemisphere. However, the two most popular varieties are cultivated for their flowers and...

Artichoke is one of the favorite winter season edible flower buds. Known as "Ankinara" in Greek, its use as a vegetable is well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans who advocated it for its medicinal and health benefiting qualities. Botanically, it belongs to the thistle family (Asteraceae), in the genus: Cynara. Scientific name: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus.Globe artichoke grows up to 1.5-2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves about 0.5 m long. If left alone, beautiful light pink, or purple flowers develop forming a large head from the edible buds. The bud is composed of compactly arranged...

Pleasantly flavorful, cheddar is a firm cheese with sharp bite and melt-in your mouth crumbly texture. This classic British cheese is one of very versatile cheeses; perfect for a platter as a snacking cheese or for use in cooking. Cheddar preparation and its use was originated during medieval times, along the southern slopes of Mendip hills, in Somerset county, in South West England. Cow milk, raw or pasteurised, is employed to a larger extent in processing cheddar; however, a small quantities of it also produced by using goat and sheep milk. Preparation of cheddar cheese: Cheddar is prepared from cow's...

Starchy, sweet, rich in flavor, chestnuts are popular edible nuts of the northern hemisphere origin. The nuts are native to the mountainous forests of China, Japan, Europe, and North America. Botanically, they belong to the beech or Fagaceae family, in the genus: Castanea. Scientific name: Castanea sativa. Castanea species are large deciduous trees. They are monoecious; bearing both male and female flowers (“catkins”) on the same tree. They have a remarkable survival history to narrate. Early in the 20th century, the once mighty American-chestnut tree was almost wiped out by pathogenic fungus chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). A renewed interest has been growing since then to revive...

Delicious, chewy white button mushroom is the most common variety of edible mushrooms cultivated and consumed worldwide. Common buttons are the fleshy fruit bodies in the Basidiomycetes family. Scientific name: Agaricus Bisphorus. The different varieties of button mushrooms available in the markets are the same A. bisphorus that sold at various stages of growth and harvest. Immature and white: Common button, or table mushroom. Immature and brown: Chestnut mushrooms, or cremini. These have a thicker stem and a harder, pale brown cap. They have more pronounced "mushroomy" flavor, and a meatier texture than white mushrooms. Mature: Portobello mushroom. Health benefits of Button mushrooms Button mushrooms are very low...