Origin and the history of blackcurrant

The genus Ribes, was classified to the Saxifragaceae family originally, but was later placed within the Grossulariaceae family on the basis of morphological traits such as the presence of inferior ovaries, syncarpous gymnosperm and fleshy fruit. The blackcurrants are natives of Sweden and northern parts of Russia, as well as the northern counties of England.

The word “currant” is originating from the ancient Greek word for the city Corinth and was used to illustrate grapes grown in the region. Early references to Ribes currants use words like corinthes, corans, currans, and bastarde corinthes. The known blackcurrant culture in farms and gardens dates back at least as far as the Renaissance in Europe.

Blackcurrants have been cultivated in northern Europe for more than400 years and records were first described by the 17thcentury herbalists, e.g. Gerard (1636), referring to the use of blackcurrants as ingredients in tea and medical concoctions.

The use of blackcurrants fruit as a herbal medicine emerged in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, European herbalists started to recommend Ribes berries or their syrup for the treatment of several illnesses, including bladder stones and liver disorders, cough and lung ailments.

In England blackcurrants were once called ‘squinancy berries’ because they were used to treat quinsy.

These small berries don’t appear to have been cultivated until around 1500. During 1700s , blackcurrants were domesticated in eastern Europe and sold to farmer’s markets in Russia. Blackcurrants were introduced in the USA along with red currants in the seventeenth century, but received little interest in terms of their domestication and cultivation.

During the Second World War blackcurrant cultivation was encouraged by British government due to in part the fruit’s suitability to the UK weather and the berries’ high content of vitamin C.

Nowadays blackcurrants are the leaders Ribes crop worldwide and are still mainly processed rather than used fresh, due to their strong flavor.
Origin and the history of blackcurrant

History of dill seed

Dill is native to the Mediterranean countries and southern Russia, grown for thousands of years and it is now cultivated widely in Europe, India and North America. Dill has been used since classical times in herbalism to aid digestion.

The name comes from the Norse word ‘dilla’, meaning ‘lull’ apparently because the seeds were believed to be good for insomnia.

The ancient Greeks used dill as a remedy for hiccups as well as for culinary purposes, and it has been a part of Mediterranean cuisines ever since. According to Dioscurides, ancient Greeks sued dill to flavor wine and in the preparation of the ‘anethinon myron’ and the ‘anthinon wine’.

The Romans credited the plant with fortifying qualities and made certain that gladiators were well fortified with it.

The Romans also classified dill as a plant of Bacchus, and fashioned it into wreaths and balls as a symbol of joy.

Dill seed is used as a condiment and can be used to flavor root vegetables. In Medieval Europe dill could not be grown fast enough to satisfy consumer demand for its uses in love potions, for casting spells and for protection against witchcraft.
History of dill seed

Origin of mulberry fruit

Mulberry has its origin in different part of the world.  The red mulberry is native of United States, whereas black mulberry is a native to western Asia but long agog found its way to Greece and Rome, and thence to other parts of Europe.

The mulberry as dedicated by the Greeks to Minerva, probably because it was considered the wisest of trees and Jupiter the protector was called Morea.

White mulberry is considered to have originated in China and is grown mainly in tropical countries. It has been grown primarily for its leaves, as silkworm folder and it was for this purpose that the trees were brought to other parts of the world.

The first black mulberry trees of England are said to have been planted at Sion House, the seat of the Duke of Northumberland in 1548. Others say that the first mulberry tree planted in England was in the garden at Lambeth Place, by Cardinal Pole 1555.

In the early 1600s, the English King James I, shipped white mulberry trees and silkworms to the colony of Virginia to start silkworm production, which was unsuccessful. However, enthusiasm for silkworm culture reached a peak in the decade of the 1830s when a new, supposedly superior type of mulberry was introduced.
Origin of mulberry fruit

History of buckwheat

The name ‘buckwheat’ comes from the Dutch word bockweit, which is indicative of the resemblance to beech the tree seeds and the wheat-like character of buckwheat flour.

Buckwheat is a native of Central Asia. Buckwheat is thought to have been domesticated in China about 1000 BC and reached Japan by 722 AD.

Its heartland of cultivation is the mountainous are stretching from northern India through Nepal and China to Korea and Japan.

Japanese buckwheat noodle

Buckwheat was cultivated in the steppes north of the Black Sea by the Iron Age (500 BC). It was introduced to Europe through Turkey and Russian during the 14th century, then to England and the US during the 17th century.

Buckwheat was introduced into the United States by the Dutch during the 1600s. Poles and Russians have used buckwheat as an important main ingredient in their traditional fare for many generations.

At the beginning of the 12th century, buckwheat was produced in significant areas in Russia (2,600,000 hectares), in France (335,000 hectares), and in Poland (290,000 hectares).

Currently it is cultivated worldwide on about more than 3 million hectares.
History of buckwheat

History of basil (Ocimum spp.)

In India it is regarded as a sacred herb and is used for decorating temples. The people there worship basil more highly than kings. It is sacred herb dedicated to the gods Vishnu and Krishna.

The cultivation of basil spread from its native India through Asia to Egypt at least 4000 years ago and from there to Rome and southern Europe.

Legend has it that basil was found growing around Jesus’ tomb after the resurrection. It was used in Greek Orthodox chci8rches in the preparation of Holy Water.

It was widely used in ancient Rome and Greece. Its name derives from the Basilisk, a mythical serpent-like creature whose venom was so potent it could kill just by looking.

The Greek called it the ‘devil plant’ but they also considered it a powerful love charm. A sign of mourning in ancient Greece and a sign of love in ancient Rome, today in Crete basil signifies ‘love washed with tears’ and in some parts of Italy it remains a lover’s emblem.

It does not appear to have reached Britain until the 16th century and was then carried by early settlers to North America.
History of basil (Ocimum spp.)