"Doug Freyburger" > wrote in message
...
> Christopher M. wrote:
>>
>> I don't
>> think that people, hundreds of years ago, would typically add handfuls of
>> herbs to their dishes.
>
> The farther back in time you go the less variety of farmed foods were
> available. Recently this has been because of transportation. Before
> that refrigeration. Going back farther it was preservation and going
> centuries back it was fewer species had been domesticated into crops.
>
> People did in fact use wild gathered plants as much as they could pick
> for the flavor and the variety. Herbal knowledge was extensive and
> regional.
>
>> Not only that, but there's pesticides to think about.
>
> Not hundreds of years ago. You should have stopped at "I don't think".
> But based on your response to Rene'e I've reached the (obvious)
> conclusion that someone with such a topic on RFC is here as a troll.

I don't claim to be a food expert on any level but I have read food history.
I think herbs were far more common many years ago. And by that I mean far
more back than 100 years ago. But like in medieval times. And hot spices
were used in many cultures as a way to ward off food poisoning or perhaps at
least to cover the taste of spoiled food.

Certainly in my great-grandparent's and grandparent's time, herbs were used
medicinally. I have old books and reproductions of old books that contain
recipes for tinctures and syrups and lotions and what have you. It was also
recommended that various foods be eaten for various maladies.

But I grew up in a house with few spices. Oh they were there. Somebody
gave my mom a spice rack for a wedding present. She just didn't use the
spices! She did use things like cinnamon and nutmeg for baking. But for
savory foods it was mainly parsley or chili powder if she used anything at
all. Oh and dry mustard for deviled eggs. And dried chives which were
never used in cooking but my dad sprinkled them on his cottage cheese. We
have had any fresh herbs. Never!

I was rather shocked to see the lack of seasonings at my MIL's house as
well. She had dry mustard that was so old there wasn't any scent left to
it! And being Italian, I assumed she would have things like oregano or
basil. But no. I remember brining a chicken recipe with me to make when I
was helping to care for her and it needed marjoram. I had to go out and buy
it because she had none. Odder still, nobody in the family had ever heard
of it! My FIL had a big garden. I know he grew all sorts of peppers,
including hot ones, onions and garlic. But I'm not sure he grew any other
herbs. I do remember MIL telling me that three things were necessary for
soup. One was parsley, one was a bay leaf and I can't remember what the
third one was. But other than garlic those seemed to be the main things she
used.

I think some people just grew up eating bland foods. I know I did. I don't
really understand why except that my parents seem to like their food that
way. When we dine out they usually ask for no sauce or sauce on the side.
I happen to like most foods well seasoned. Not a fan of garlic. I can take
a small amount but not overly garlicky. But my husband and daughter love
the stuff. They can't get enough of it.