Difference between revisions of "Dill" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
 
 
| name = Dill
 
| name = Dill
 
| image = Illustration Anethum graveolens0.jpg
 
| image = Illustration Anethum graveolens0.jpg
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[[Image:Dill dried umbel.jpg|thumb|Dried Dill-umbel]]
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'''Dill''' (''Anethum graveolens'') is a short-lived [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous|herb]]. It is the sole species of the genus ''Anethum'', though classified by some botanists in a related genus as ''Peucedanum graveolens'' (L.) C.B.Clarke.
'''Dill''' ''(Anethum graveolens)'' is a short-lived [[annual plant|annual]] [[herbaceous|herb]]. It is the sole species of the genus ''Anethum'', though classified by some botanists in the related genus ''[[Peucedanum]]'' as ''Peucedanum graveolens'' (L.) C.B.Clarke.
 
  
It grows to 40-60 cm tall, with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate [[leaf|leaves]] 10-20 cm long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1-2 mm broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of [[fennel]], which are threadlike, less than 1 mm broad, but harder in texture. The [[flower]]s are white to yellow, in small [[umbel]]s 2-9 cm diameter. The [[seed]]s are 4-5 mm long and 1 mm thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.
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It grows to {{convert|40|-|60|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} 1 inch, with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate [[leaf|leaves]] {{convert|10|-|20|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} long. The ultimate leaf divisions are {{convert|1|-|2|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of [[fennel]], which are threadlike, less than {{convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on}} broad, but harder in texture. The [[flower]]s are white to yellow, in small [[umbel]]s {{convert|2|-|9|cm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} diameter. The [[seed]]s are {{convert|4|-|5|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=off}} long and {{convert|1|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.
  
Its seeds, '''dill seed''' are used as a [[spice]], and its fresh leaves, '''dill''', and its dried leaves, '''dill weed''', are used as [[herb]]s.
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Its seeds, '''dill seeds''' are used as a [[spice]], and its fresh leaves, '''dill''', and its dried leaves, '''dill weed''', are used as [[herb]]s.
  
 
==Origins and history==
 
==Origins and history==
Dill originated in central Asia. Zohary and Hopf remark that "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia."  
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[[Image:Dill dried umbel.jpg|left|thumb|130px|Dried dill umbel]]
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Dill originated in Eastern Europe. Zohary and Hopf remark that "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia."  
  
Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of [[Amenhotep II]], they report that the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late [[Neolithic]] lake shore settlements in Switzerland.<ref>Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf. ''Domestication of plants in the Old World''. Third edition. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000, ISBN 0198541988),  p.206</ref>  Traces have been found in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] ruins in [[Great Britain]].  
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Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of [[Amenhotep II]], they report that the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late [[Neolithic]] lake shore settlements in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite book |title=Domestication of plants in the Old World |last=Zohary |first=Daniel |authorlink= |coauthors=Hopf, Maria |year=2000 |edition=3rd edition |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0198503571 |pages=206 }}</ref>  Traces have been found in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] ruins in [[Great Britain]].  
  
In [[Semitic languages]] it is known by the name of '''Shubit'''. The [[Talmud]] requires that [[tithe]]s shall be paid on the seeds, leaves, and stem of dill. The [[Bible]] states that the [[Pharisee]]s were in the habit of paying dill as tithe (Matthew 23:23) ; [[Jesus]] Christ is said to have rebuked them for tithing dill but omitting mercy.
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In [[Semitic languages]] it is known by the name of '''Shubit'''. The [[Talmud]] requires that [[tithe]]s shall be paid on the seeds, leaves, and stem of dill. The [[Bible]] states that the [[Pharisee]]s were in the habit of paying dill as tithe;<ref>{{Bible|Matthew 23:23}}</ref> [[Jesus]] rebuked them for tithing dill but omitting justice, mercy and faithfulness<ref>{{Bible|Matthew 23:23}}{{Fact|date=November 2008}}</ref>.
  
 
==Name==
 
==Name==
 
The name dill is thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' meaning to soothe or lull, the plant having the [[carminative]] property of relieving gas.
 
The name dill is thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' meaning to soothe or lull, the plant having the [[carminative]] property of relieving gas.
  
In some English speaking countries, it is sometimes called Dillby.
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In the northeastern U.S. and adjoining parts of Canada, the seed of dill is sometimes known as "meeting-seed". This expression originates with the Puritans and Quakers, who would give their children dill seeds to chew during long church meetings, due to dill's mild hunger-suppressant qualities.
In some Asian local languages it is called as "Shepu" or "Sowa."
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In some [[English language|English-speaking]] countries, it is sometimes called Dillby. In some Asian local languages it is called as "Shepu" or "Sowa". In [[Kannada language|Kannada]] it is called ''Sapseege soppu'' (ಸಪ್ಪಸೀಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು).  The term ''dill weed'' (''dillweed''), to refer to a person, is sometimes used as a [[euphemism]] in the United States and Canada for more vulgar terms of contempt.
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In [[Vietnam]], dill is named "thì là". There exists a [[fable]] in which [[God]] accidentally names the plant "it is" (thì là).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://anhsfoodblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/whb-58-doing-vietnamese-way_08.html |title=Food Lover's Journey: WHB #58 – Doing the Vietnamese Way!}}</ref>
  
 
==Uses==
 
==Uses==
 
 
Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are used as [[herb]]s.
 
Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are used as [[herb]]s.
  
Like [[caraway]], its fernlike leaves are aromatic, and are used to flavor many [[food]]s, such as [[gravlax]] (cured [[salmon]]), [[borscht]] and other [[soup]]s, and [[Pickled cucumber|pickle]]s. Dill is said to be best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, [[Freeze drying|freeze-dried]] dill leaves preserve their flavor relatively well for a few months.
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Like [[caraway]], its fernlike leaves are aromatic, and are used to flavor many [[food]]s, such as [[gravlax]] (cured [[salmon]]), [[borscht]] and other [[soup]]s, and [[Pickled cucumber|pickle]]s (where sometimes the dill flower is used). Dill is said to be best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, [[Freeze drying|freeze-dried]] dill leaves preserve their flavor relatively well for a few months.
  
In the [[Middle Ages]], dill was thought to protect against witchcraft.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
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In Vietnam, dill is the important herb in the dish [[cha ca]].
  
Dill seed is used as a [[spice]], with a flavor similar to caraway.
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Dill seed is used as a [[spice]], with a flavor somewhat similar to caraway, but also resembling that of fresh or dried dill weed.
  
 
[[Dill oil]] can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant.
 
[[Dill oil]] can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant.
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 +
Dill seeds were traditionally used to soothe the stomach after meals.<ref>[http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=71#historyuse Whole Foods Profile]</ref>
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{{clear}}
  
 
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==
  
Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for 3-10 years. Plants intended for seed for further planting should not be grown near fennel, as the two species can [[hybrid]]ise.   
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Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for 3-10 years. Plants intended for seed for further planting should not be grown near fennel, as the two species can [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]ise.   
 
 
The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.
 
  
==Notes==
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The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.
<references/>
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
{{commons|Anethum graveolens}}
 
{{commons|Anethum graveolens}}
*[http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Anethum+graveolens Plants for a Future: ''Anethum graveolens''] - Retrieved December 14, 2007.
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*[http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Anethum+graveolens Plants for a Future: ''Anethum graveolens'']
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dill—13.html 'A Modern Herbal' (Grieves, 1931)] - Retrieved December 14, 2007.
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*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dill—13.html 'A Modern Herbal' (Grieves, 1931)]
 +
*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?329,335,336 Jepson Manual Treatment]
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*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ANGR2 USDA Plants Profile]
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*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?3412 GRIN Species Profile]
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{{clear}}
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==References==
 +
{{reflist}}
 +
 
 +
{{Herbs & spices}}
  
 
{{Herbs & spices}}
 
{{Herbs & spices}}
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[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Plants]]
 
[[Category:Plants]]
{{credits|177822615}}
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{{credits|Dill|263482054}}

Revision as of 00:27, 15 January 2009

For other uses, see Dill (disambiguation).
Dill
Illustration Anethum graveolens0.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Anethum
L.
Species: A. graveolens
Binomial name
Anethum graveolens
L.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a short-lived perennial herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum, though classified by some botanists in a related genus as Peucedanum graveolens (L.) C.B.Clarke.

It grows to 40–60 cm (16–24 in) 1 inch, with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 1 mm (0.039 in) broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 2–9 cm (0.79–3.5 in) diameter. The seeds are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.

Its seeds, dill seeds are used as a spice, and its fresh leaves, dill, and its dried leaves, dill weed, are used as herbs.

Origins and history

Dried dill umbel

Dill originated in Eastern Europe. Zohary and Hopf remark that "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia."

Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of Amenhotep II, they report that the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late Neolithic lake shore settlements in Switzerland.[1] Traces have been found in Roman ruins in Great Britain.

In Semitic languages it is known by the name of Shubit. The Talmud requires that tithes shall be paid on the seeds, leaves, and stem of dill. The Bible states that the Pharisees were in the habit of paying dill as tithe;[2] Jesus rebuked them for tithing dill but omitting justice, mercy and faithfulness[3].

Name

The name dill is thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' meaning to soothe or lull, the plant having the carminative property of relieving gas.

In the northeastern U.S. and adjoining parts of Canada, the seed of dill is sometimes known as "meeting-seed". This expression originates with the Puritans and Quakers, who would give their children dill seeds to chew during long church meetings, due to dill's mild hunger-suppressant qualities.

In some English-speaking countries, it is sometimes called Dillby. In some Asian local languages it is called as "Shepu" or "Sowa". In Kannada it is called Sapseege soppu (ಸಪ್ಪಸೀಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು). The term dill weed (dillweed), to refer to a person, is sometimes used as a euphemism in the United States and Canada for more vulgar terms of contempt.

In Vietnam, dill is named "thì là". There exists a fable in which God accidentally names the plant "it is" (thì là).[4]

Uses

Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are used as herbs.

Like caraway, its fernlike leaves are aromatic, and are used to flavor many foods, such as gravlax (cured salmon), borscht and other soups, and pickles (where sometimes the dill flower is used). Dill is said to be best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, freeze-dried dill leaves preserve their flavor relatively well for a few months.

In Vietnam, dill is the important herb in the dish cha ca.

Dill seed is used as a spice, with a flavor somewhat similar to caraway, but also resembling that of fresh or dried dill weed.

Dill oil can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant.

Dill seeds were traditionally used to soothe the stomach after meals.[5]

Cultivation

Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for 3-10 years. Plants intended for seed for further planting should not be grown near fennel, as the two species can hybridise.

The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.

External links

Commons
Wikimedia Commons has media related to::

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. Zohary, Daniel and Hopf, Maria (2000). Domestication of plants in the Old World, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 206. ISBN 0198503571. 
  2. Template:Bible
  3. Template:Bible[citation needed]
  4. Food Lover's Journey: WHB #58 – Doing the Vietnamese Way!.
  5. Whole Foods Profile



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