As it is Valentine's Day, we thought you might like a few facts about the fragrant, evergreen, Mediterranean herb, rosemary! As the song 'Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes' by Edison Lighthouse, rosemary is noted as the herb of love and remembrance. The lyrics of the traditional folk song Scarborough Fair (Remember me to one who lives there. She was once a true love of mine.) highlight the historical folklore significance of rosemary as a gift for loved ones. Many brides add rosemary to their bouquets to represent fidelity in love and in opposite to the celebration of marriage, rosemary may be used at funerals to signify remembrance of a loved one.
Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations traditionally used the herb for medicinal purposes which was believed to alleviate muscle pain, help with the circulatory and immune system, promote hair growth, and most notably, improve the memory. And we can thank the Romans for bringing this wonderful herb to the British shores.
For those who enjoy English Literature, you will probably know Shakespeare referenced rosemary in Hamlet when Ophelia expresses:
There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember.
William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5)
Rosemary works well with bread recipes. If cakes are not a gift your loved one would appreciate for Valentine's Day, our rosemary sourdoughs may be an alternative! We have available our new addition Cheddar, Rosemary, and Potato Sourdough, our ever-popular Rosemary and Sea Salt, or Roasted Garlic, Red Onion and Rosemary Sourdoughs.
Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day which you will always remember.