In article >, "o8TY" >
wrote:

> "Kate Dicey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > o8TY wrote:
> >
> > > I am looking for ancient Greek or Roman references to the blanching of
> > > plants whilst still growing in ground.
> > >
> > > I know this was done for celery and asparagus but have yet to find exact
> > > references/quotations.
> > >
> > > Any help greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > >
> > As far as I remember, it has nowt to do with cooking! You pile the
> > earth up round the stems of things like leeks and celery and asparagus
> > to keep them tender and pale. My dad was an avid gardener, son of a
> > professional, and this is what he was taught to do. This is why things
> > like this used to be grown in raised beds. The plants were grown in
> > half filled beds, early in the season, and then as they grew, the beds
> > were filled up, covering the new growth of stem to keep the light from
> > it. It was referred to as blanching in some areas.
> >
> > Here's a bit more about it:
> > http://www.innvista.com/health/foods...les/aspara.htm
> >
>
> Yes my query has nothing to do with cooking, but with making certain plants
> turn white by deliberately reducing their exposure to light.
>
> Ultimately I am hoping the references/quotations will relate to the colour
> scheme of the Corinthian capital invented around 450BCE.
>
> I have read what the Roman writers Pliny and Cato say on the matter, but am
> looking for more, especially the earlier Greek sources such as Theophrastus
> or Aristoteles.

Cauliflower yet another food that enjoys less light that humans play
with.

Bill

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