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HERBS<br />
Basil<br />
The two main varieties of basil traded are sweet or common basil Ocinum basilicium L.<br />
<strong>and</strong> bush basil O. Minimum. Because of its larger leaves <strong>and</strong> richer fragrance sweet basil is<br />
commonly used as a culinary herb while bush basil is used mainly for decorative purposes<br />
<strong>and</strong> insect repellent. Basil is used extensively in French, Greek <strong>and</strong> Italian cooking <strong>and</strong><br />
also as an ingredient in industrial production/processing of prepared meats, baked goods,<br />
sauces, vinegar <strong>and</strong> liqueurs.<br />
Bay (laurel) leaves<br />
The leaves of the bay tree Laurus mobilis are used to flavour a wide range of domestic<br />
dishes <strong>and</strong> also various types of commercially canned <strong>and</strong> preserved vegetables, meat <strong>and</strong><br />
fish. They are a traditional ingredient of curry <strong>and</strong> of the bouquet garni. Bay berries are<br />
pressed or distilled to give a thick greenish oil used in some liqueurs.<br />
Dill<br />
Two species of dill are traded internationally: the leaves of the European dill Anethum<br />
graveolens <strong>and</strong> the fruit (seed) of the Indian dill Anethum sowa. Both are used for food<br />
flavouring but are not interchangeable: dill weed is herb-like <strong>and</strong> bitter, whereas dill seed<br />
is herb-like but slightly spicy. Dill seed <strong>and</strong> oils have many commercial applications in<br />
compound seasonings <strong>and</strong> pickling flavouring for food products as well as in the perfume<br />
<strong>and</strong> soap industries.<br />
Marjoram<br />
Marjoram Majorama hortensia is a perennial herb of the mint family used widely in<br />
European cooking. The dried herb faces competition from oleoresin in the production of<br />
some prepared meats <strong>and</strong> cheese. The essential oil is an ingredient in compound oils for<br />
flavouring sauces, canned meats <strong>and</strong> other food products. Marjoram also has medicinal uses.<br />
Mint<br />
Peppermint Mentha piperata <strong>and</strong> spearmint Mentha spicata are commercially cultivated.<br />
Mint is probably the world’s most important flavour after vanilla <strong>and</strong> citrus. The essential<br />
oils meet a large part of the dem<strong>and</strong> for mint flavouring <strong>and</strong> the leaves are one of the<br />
world’s most important herbs. Spearmint is the variety in highest dem<strong>and</strong> for culinary<br />
purposes <strong>and</strong> peppermint is used mainly for medicinal applications. Mint tea is prepared<br />
from peppermint, the most extensively consumed of the herbal teas, <strong>and</strong> mint also goes<br />
into other beverages including liqueurs. Mint oils <strong>and</strong> menthol are aromatic agents in<br />
toothpaste, mouthwashes <strong>and</strong> chewing gums.<br />
Oregano<br />
Oregano Origanum vulgare is very important in Italian <strong>and</strong> other European cooking <strong>and</strong> is<br />
also used by food processors as an anti-oxidant to curb rancidity in foods with high fat<br />
content, such as sausages. The dried herb, tincture <strong>and</strong> essential oil have applications in<br />
food flavourings <strong>and</strong> certain liqueur formulations.<br />
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