Fresh and wild: chives

Posted by DAAN on May 25, 2008 under East and West, Food, Uncategorized |

Chives is becoming popular in Europe.

A Black Isle herb nursery has developed its own attractive and tasty variety of chives. Chives grow wild in the mountains of Europe as far west as Ireland. Now they are being cultivated. Poyntzfield Herb Nursery on the Black Isle has produced its own variety, Black Isle Blush. It grows more profusely than the wild variety and its flowers are light mauve with a deep pink centre (the blush). These blooms are ornamental as well as edible.

The hollow, slender leaves have a subtle, oniony tang in spring and grow quickly. Now ready for cutting, they are best snipped with scissors into salads, potatoes, omelettes and cheese dishes at the last minute. Broken into florets, the flowers are more pungent.

Black Isle Blush was developed by Duncan Ross, who has been growing herbs at Poyntzfield for more than two decades. Workshops for herb growers are held at the nursery each summer. The first event this year is on July 12.