What are chives?

The herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds or flowers are used to flavor food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes and perfumes. The name comes from the Latin Herba , which means "green crops". Chives, allium schoenoprasum are from the family Alliceae, such as their close relatives of garlic, pore and onion. While the plant can be called a "chive plant", the herb is always referred to in plural.

History

Ancient Chinese have used chives for thousands of years and Marco Polo reportedly brought them to Europe from China.

Description

chives are long, thin leaves that grow from 6-20 inches long (15-50 cm). The leaves of some species are flat, while others are tubular. They resemble green onions or pores, but are thinner. There are several related species, including Siberian and garlic chives. Flowers are lavender on most plants and white on garlic plant.

Gardening

otEnjoyed perennials, chives that can be grown from the seed, even if it takes a long time to be prepared for harvest. Experts often recommend growers simply divide the existing cluster. The plant should be detained and is best harvested by cutting near the ground. In other words, do not pull out the plant. They prefer the sun and well -drained soil.

food and other use

The chives lose their taste when they are cooked for any long time, so they are primarily used raw as an ornament, usually chopped, for example, on baked potatoes with sour cream. They can also be added to a bowl such as frying in the last few minutes of cooking, or used to flavor butter, oil and vinegar.

preservation

These herbs do not follow well, but can be chopped and frozen. Some people simply bring a pot inside in winter and use them a fresh year around.