If you were an herb or spice, what would you be?

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, February 9, 2015

Herbs, spices and humans have had a long standing relationship. There is evidence that the spice trade has been in existence for over 3,500 years. Herbs were even mentioned in the first chapter of Bible. Herbs and spices add excitement to our food in the forms of color, taste and smell.

In my own encounters with herbs and spices I have come to realize that they can symbolize our personalities and human experiences. Once I thought to myself, if I were any herb or spice, which one would I be?
So I quickly turned the question to Brainfood participants to hear their answers. To no one’s surprise, I got back creative and thoughtful responses:

I would be cinnamon because it’s so versatile and it complements so many sweets and baked goods, but tastes good in savory dishes like soups and roasted vegetables too.

I would be lavender because France is the perfume capital of the world and there are a lot of lavender fields in France. To be honest, I love French culture.

I would be sweet basil. I love its vibrant green color, its aromatic quality, and that it’s a necessity for my favorite pizza (magherita!). Also, I’m pretty sure Sherlock Holmes used ‘Basil’ as an alias, which is cool.

I would be curry powder because my grandparents and family are from Trinidad and Tobago, so we have it all the time.

I’d be ivy because parts of ivy can be used for treatment, like how I want to help people when necessary. Also, the entire plant is poisonous which symbolizes how I can get angry when provoked.

I would be a birds eye chili pepper because it is what is on the inside that makes me who I am.

If I could be any herb, I would be mint. I choose mint because it has a wonderful taste. Also, I would feel good about myself, knowing that people will eat/want to me (ex. Perfect smelling breath).

Now, it would only be fair of me to answer this question myself. What would I be? Dill. In my opinion, dill is one of the most underappreciated herbs for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s versatile and flexible – as it can be both an herb and a spice (how many herbs and spices can really say that?!). Herbs are aromatic plants whose leaves, stems, or flowers are used to add flavors to other foods. Spices are aromatic plants whose bark, roots, seeds, buds, or berries of plants are used as flavorings, condiments, or aromatics. Its fernlike leaves can be used in fish dishes, salad dressings, pickles, and soup.

Have a runny nose you can’t seem to control, a cough keeping you up at night, an upset stomach and a pounding headache? Imagine the smell of a warm, homemade chicken noodle soup. You can feel the warmth of the soup on your hands and notice how it begins to open your sinuses. You slowly eat your soup tasting the comfort dill has to offer. You probably notice that your stomach settles down and you begin to feel a little drowsy. That is the power of dill, the small herb that packs a punch with its medicinal benefits.

So, why would I be dill? Well, there is nothing better than making someone feel better when they’re feeling their worst.

Take a moment to consider: what herb or spice would you be?