Chives: Difference between revisions
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== History and cultural importance == |
== History and cultural importance == |
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Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the [[Middle Ages]] (fifth until the 15th centuries), although their usage dates back 5000 years.<ref name="hc" /> They were sometimes referred to as "rush leeks",<ref name=culpeper> [[Nicholas Culpeper]] {{google books|lgBBAQAAMAAJ|Culpeper's Complete Herbal, and English Physician (1826)|page=37}}</ref> (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''schoinos'' meaning rush and ''prason'' meaning leek).{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} |
Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the [[Middle Ages]] (fifth until the 15th centuries), although their usage dates back 5000 years.<ref name="hc" /> They were sometimes referred to as "rush leeks",<ref name=culpeper> [[Nicholas Culpeper]] {{google books|lgBBAQAAMAAJ|Culpeper's Complete Herbal, and English Physician (1826)|page=37}}</ref> (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''schoinos'' meaning rush and ''prason'' meaning leek).{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} |
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It was mentioned in 80 A.D. by [[Marcus Valerius Martialis]] in his "Epigrams".<ref name=small/> |
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: He who bears chives on his breathe |
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: Is safe from being kissed to death |
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The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from [[sunburn]] or a sore throat. They believed eating chives could increase [[blood pressure]] and act as a [[diuretic]].<ref>{{cite book |title= 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden |last= Staub |first= Jack E. |year= 2008 |publisher= Gibbs Smith |isbn= 978-1-4236-0251-4 |page= 54 }}</ref> |
The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from [[sunburn]] or a sore throat. They believed eating chives could increase [[blood pressure]] and act as a [[diuretic]].<ref>{{cite book |title= 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden |last= Staub |first= Jack E. |year= 2008 |publisher= Gibbs Smith |isbn= 978-1-4236-0251-4 |page= 54 }}</ref> |
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[[Romani people|Romani]] have used chives in fortune telling.<ref>[http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm Chives], from "Sally's place", accessed on June 13, 2006</ref> Bunches of dried chives hung around a house were believed to ward off disease and evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm|title=Chives|publisher=sallys-place.com}}</ref> |
[[Romani people|Romani]] have used chives in fortune telling.<ref>[http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm Chives], from "Sally's place", accessed on June 13, 2006</ref> Bunches of dried chives hung around a house were believed to ward off disease and evil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/chives.htm|title=Chives|publisher=sallys-place.com}}</ref><ref name=small/> |
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In the 19th century, [[Dutch]] farmers feed cattle on the herb to give a different taste to [[milk]].<ref name=small/> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 23:02, 27 May 2017
| Chives | |
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| Allium schoenoprasum | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Allioideae |
| Genus: | Allium |
| Species: | A. schoenoprasum
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| Binomial name | |
| Allium schoenoprasum | |
| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
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 A clump of flowering chives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 126 kJ (30 kcal) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.35 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 1.85 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 2.5 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0.73 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.27 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[1] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chives is the common name of Allium schoenoprasum, an edible species of the Allium genus.[3] Its close relatives include the garlic, shallot, leek, scallion,[4] and Chinese onion.[5]
A perennial plant, it is widespread in nature across much of Europe, Asia, and North America.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
A. schoenoprasum is the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old Worlds.[12][13]
The name of the species derives from the Greek σχοίνος, skhoínos (sedge) and πράσον, práson (leek).[14] Its English name, chives, derives from the French word cive, from cepa, the Latin word for onion.[15]
Chives are a commonly used herb and can be found in grocery stores or grown in home gardens. In culinary use, the scapes and the unopened, immature flower buds are diced and used as an ingredient for fish, potatoes, soups, and other dishes. Chives have insect-repelling properties that can be used in gardens to control pests.[16]
Biology
Chives are a bulb-forming herbaceous perennial plant, growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall. The bulbs are slender, conical, 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long and 1 cm (1⁄2 in) broad, and grow in dense clusters from the roots. The scapes (or stems) are hollow and tubular, up to 50 cm (20 in) long and 2–3 mm (1⁄16–1⁄8 in) across, with a soft texture, although, prior to the emergence of a flower, they may appear stiffer than usual. The leaves, which are shorter than the scapes, are also hollow and tubular, or terete, (round in cross-section) which distinguishes it at a glance from garlic chives (Allium tuberosum). The flowers are pale purple, and star-shaped with six petals, 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) wide, and produced in a dense inflorescence of 10-30 together; before opening, the inflorescence is surrounded by a papery bract. The seeds are produced in a small, three-valved capsule, maturing in summer. The herb flowers from April to May in the southern parts of its habitat zones and in June in the northern parts.[17][18]
Chives are the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old Worlds. Sometimes, the plants found in North America are classified as A. schoenoprasum var. sibiricum, although this is disputed. Differences between specimens are significant. One example was found in northern Maine growing solitary, instead of in clumps, also exhibiting dingy grey flowers.[19]
Although chives are repulsive to insects in general, due to their sulfur compounds, their flowers attract bees, and they are at times kept to increase desired insect life.[20]
Uses
Culinary arts
Chives are grown for their scapes, which are used for culinary purposes as a flavoring herb, and provide a somewhat milder flavor than those of other Allium species.
Chives have a wide variety of culinary uses, such as in traditional dishes in France, Sweden, and elsewhere.[21] In his 1806 book Attempt at a Flora (Försök til en flora), Retzius describes how chives are used with pancakes, soups, fish, and sandwiches.[21] They are also an ingredient of the gräddfil sauce with the traditional herring dish served at Swedish midsummer celebrations. The flowers may also be used to garnish dishes.[22] In Poland and Germany, chives are served with quark cheese. Chives are one of the fines herbes of French cuisine, which also include tarragon, chervil, or parsley. Chives can be found fresh at most markets year-round, making them readily available; they can also be dry-frozen without much impairment to the taste, giving home growers the opportunity to store large quantities harvested from their own gardens.[15]
Uses in plant cultivation
Retzius also describes how farmers would plant chives between the rocks making up the borders of their flowerbeds, to keep the plants free from pests (such as Japanese beetles).[21][23] The growing plant repels unwanted insect life, and the juice of the leaves can be used for the same purpose, as well as fighting fungal infections, mildew, and scab.[24][25][26]
Medicine
The medicinal properties of chives are similar to those of garlic, but weaker; the faint effects in comparison with garlic are probably the main reason for their limited use as a medicinal herb. They also have mild stimulant, diuretic, and antiseptic properties.[27] As chives are usually served in small amounts and never as the main dish, negative effects are rarely encountered, although digestive problems may occur following overconsumption.[dead link][28]
Chives are also rich in vitamins A and C,[29] contain trace amounts of sulfur, and are rich in calcium and iron.[dead link][30]
Cultivation
Chives are cultivated both for their culinary uses and their ornamental value; the violet flowers are often used in ornamental dry bouquets.[31] The flowers are also edible and are used in salads,[32] or used to make Blossom vinegars.[33]
Chives thrive in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6-7 and full sun.[11] They can be grown from seed and mature in summer, or early the following spring. Typically, chives need to be germinated at a temperature of 15 to 20 °C (60-70 °F) and kept moist. They can also be planted under a cloche or germinated indoors in cooler climates, then planted out later. After at least four weeks, the young shoots should be ready to be planted out. They are also easily propagated by division.[34]
In cold regions, chives die back to the underground bulbs in winter, with the new leaves appearing in early spring. Chives starting to look old can be cut back to about 2–5 cm. When harvesting, the needed number of stalks should be cut to the base.[34] During the growing season, the plant continually regrows leaves, allowing for a continuous harvest.[34]
History and cultural importance
Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages (fifth until the 15th centuries), although their usage dates back 5000 years.[15] They were sometimes referred to as "rush leeks",[35] (from the Greek schoinos meaning rush and prason meaning leek).[citation needed]
It was mentioned in 80 A.D. by Marcus Valerius Martialis in his "Epigrams".[12]
- He who bears chives on his breathe
- Is safe from being kissed to death
The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from sunburn or a sore throat. They believed eating chives could increase blood pressure and act as a diuretic.[36]
Romani have used chives in fortune telling.[37] Bunches of dried chives hung around a house were believed to ward off disease and evil.[38][12]
In the 19th century, Dutch farmers feed cattle on the herb to give a different taste to milk.[12]
References
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ^ LaFray, Joyce (1987). Tropic Cooking: The New Cuisine from Florida and the Islands of the Caribbean. Oakland: Ten Speed Press. p. 292. ISBN 0-89815-234-8.
- ^ Block, E. (2010). Garlic and Other Alliums: The Lore and the Science. Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN 0-85404-190-7.
- ^ "AllergyNet — Allergy Advisor Find". Allallergy.net. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". kew.org.
- ^ Flora of China Vol. 24 Page 195 北葱 bei cong Allium schoenoprasum
- ^ Tardiff, B.; Morisset, P. (1990). "Clinal morphological variation of Allium schoenoprasum in eastern North America". Taxon. 39 (3): 417–429. JSTOR 1223088.
- ^ Flora of North America Vol. 26 Page 240 Chive Allium schoenoprasum
- ^ Altervista Flora Italiana, Erba cipollina, wild chives, Civette, Schnittlauch, Allium schoenoprasum L. includes photos, drawings, European distribution map, etc.
- ^ a b "Allium schoenoprasum - Plant Finder". mobot.org.
- ^ a b c d Ernest Small North American Cornucopia: Top 100 Indigenous Food Plants (2014), p. 230, at Google Books
- ^ James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey (Editors) The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification, p. 133, at Google Books
- ^ Anna-Lena Anderberg. "Den virtuella floran: Allium schoenoprasum L. - Gräslök". nrm.se.
- ^ a b c Peggy Trowbridge Filippone. "Chive Selection and Storage". About.com Food.
- ^ Kaufman, Peter B; Thomas J Carlson; Kaufman B Kaufman; Harry L Brielmann; Sara Warber; Leland J Cseke; James A Duke (1999). Natural Products from Plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press. p. 261. 084933134X.
- ^ Allium schoenoprasum factsheet, from Kemper center for home gardening, retrieved on June 13, 2006, based on the position of the botanical Garden (Missouri)
- ^ Gräslök, from Den virtuella floran, retrieved on June 13, 2006, The facts mentioned on the site apply to Sweden, which is in the northern part of the habitat zone.
- ^ McGary, Mary Jane (2001). Bulbs of North America: North American Rock Garden Society. Portland: Timber Press. pp. 28–29. 088192511X.
- ^ Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. 0
- ^ a b c Försök til en Flora Oeconomica Sveciæ by A. J. Retzius (1806)
- ^ Allium schoenoprasum, from Mountain valley growers, accessed on June 13, 2006
- ^ Andy Hamilton. "pests – selfsufficientish – pests". selfsufficientish.com.
- ^ Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
- ^ Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
- ^ Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
- ^ Gualtiero Simonetti (1990). Stanley Schuler (ed.). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Herbs and Spices. Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 0-671-73489-X.
- ^ Chive Talkin' Archived 2014-12-14 at the Wayback Machine, by Winston J. Craig, Ph. D
- ^ Chives, from "Sally's place", accessed on May 31, 2009
- ^ Organic Gardening Practices. Archived October 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Flower & Garden Magazine, June-July 1996, The lazy gardener's guide to potpourri". findarticles.com.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Durand, Faith (23 May 2008). "Tip: How to Use Chive Blossoms in Salads and Other Dishes". thekitchn.com. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Margaret Roberts Edible & Medicinal Flowers, p. 146, at Google Books
- ^ a b c McGee, Rose Marie Nichols; Stuckey, Maggie (2002). The Bountiful Container. Workman Publishing.
- ^ Nicholas Culpeper Culpeper's Complete Herbal, and English Physician (1826), p. 37, at Google Books
- ^ Staub, Jack E. (2008). 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden. Gibbs Smith. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-4236-0251-4.
- ^ Chives, from "Sally's place", accessed on June 13, 2006
- ^ "Chives". sallys-place.com.
External links
Media related to Allium schoenoprasum at Wikimedia Commons- Nutritional Information
- Mrs. Grieve's "A Modern Herbal" @ Botanical.com
- . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 253.
| Onion cultivars | |||
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| Onion food | |||
| Garlic cultivars | |||
| Garlic species |
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| Garlic food | |||
| Garlic and onion constituents | |||
| Related |
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