History of dill and dill weed

In the southern Mediterranean region, as early as 3000 BC, dill was popular for its magical and medicinal properties. It was cultivated b y the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians.

Dill promoted digestion and soothed the stomachs of Assyrians and later Egyptians, Romans and Greeks and eventually northern Europeans.

Pedanius Dioscorides (40 – 90 AD) described the medicinal value of the dill plant: The decoction of the tops of dried dill and likewise of the feed being drunken, ingendreth milke in the breath of nurses, allayeth the gripping and wind, provoketh urine increase and detroyeth the hiccups.

Dill seed

In the gardens of ancient Athens and Rome, dill held a permanent spot. Fragrant dill garlands crowned war heroes on their return home, Aromatic wreaths of the yellow flower hung in Roman banquets. Romans thought dill brought luck, and they adorned themselves with its graceful fronds.

Dill weed

Dills name comes from the Old Scandinavian word dilla, meaning ‘to soothe’ because their parents used it to ease the stomach pains of crying babies and to lull them to sleep.

In 1640 an English writer noted that dill ‘….is put among pickled Cowcumbers, wherewith it doth very well agree, giving unto the cold fruit a pretty, spice taste or relish.’

Although at one time dill had medicinal uses, they have been forgotten over the years. Today, dill seed is used as a pickling spice, while dill weed, the light, feathery leaves is used to favor fish sauce and salad dressing.
History of dill and dill weed

Turkish Ancient Yogurt

Turkish Ancient Yogurt
It is believed that the ancient Turkish people in Asia, where they lived as nomads, first made yogurt. The first Turkish name for this product appeared in the eighth century as “yoghurut,’” and the name was subsequently changed in the eleventh century to its present spelling.

One legend tells that an angel brought down a pot that contained the first yoghurt while another source claims that the ancient Turks, who were Buddhists, used to offer yoghurt to the angels and stars who protected them.

According to the other source claims that yogurt originated from Balkans. The inhabitants of Thrace used to make soured milks called “prokish” from sheep’s milk, which later becomes yoghurt. In the Bible, it is recorded that when the patriarch Abraham entertained three angels, he put before them soured and sweet milk. The ancient Greeks and Romans were also acquainted with preparations of soured milks.

Ancient physicians of the Near and Middle East prescribed yogurt or related soured milk for curing disorders of the stomach, intestines, and liver and for stimulations of the appetite. Yogurt also used for preservation of meat during summer. Persian women used yogurt as a cosmetic.

The first industrial production of yogurt in Yogurt was undertaken by Danone in 1922 at Madrid, Spain. After World War II and particularly since 1950, the technology of yoghurt and understanding of its properties have advanced rapidly.
Turkish Ancient Yogurt