Recipe: Oooh-La-La Orange Rosemary Spritzer

Hi! I'm Rosemary!

“I'm a fragrant herb with needle-like leaves. I can have blue, pink, purple, or white flowers in the spring and I'm very pretty in gardens. I'm also easy to grow, and garden pests don't care for me too much. My leaves add wonderful flavor to your recipes! You can use them dried or fresh, in breads, roast vegetables or meats, soups, and more, and I taste great in drinks like lemonade. Once you've met me, you'll definitely recognize me from then on!"

History

• Rosemary is an herb commonly used to flavor foods. 
• The Romans brought rosemary to England in the eighth century. This herb originally came from the Mediterranean region—the sea cliffs of Italy, France, Greece, and Spain. Ancient Greeks and Romans used rosemary for medicine and cooking! 
• The ancient Greeks believed that rosemary was a magical plant that could improve their memory!
• Rosemary was a token of love and loyalty. During the English Tudor era, rosemary represented fidelity, and brides would traditionally give sprigs of it to the bridegroom. In some places, rosemary sprigs are still used in the wedding ceremony or reception. 
• In the 16th century, rosemary was often burned in hospitals as a disinfectant to kill germs.

Anatomy & Etymology

• Rosemary is part of the mint family, which includes basil, lavender, oregano, and many other herbs.
• Rosemary looks like a tree you've probably seen before! What does it look like? Smell like? Feel like? An evergreen? Rosemary IS an evergreen shrub!
• A rosemary plant can easily grow to five feet tall!
• Rosemary leaves are the edible part of the plant!
• The word "rosemary" came from the Latin word "ros marinus," meaning "mist or dew of the sea." 

How to Pick, Buy, & Eat

• A rosemary plant will grow year after year once it's planted. It can grow in the wild, in the garden, or indoors!
• Rosemary can be used fresh or dried. It adds a woody, herbal flavor to foods. 
• Rosemary is best when cooked a little before eating it, while other herbs are better when fresh. You can add rosemary to eggs, salad dressings, cakes, drinks, soups, stews, muffins, and other baked goods.

Nutrition

• In ancient times, people used rosemary as an herbal medicine for stomach aches, toothaches, headaches, and even to prevent balding!
• Rosemary was also sometimes known as the "herb of memory." The leaves were supposed to quicken the mind and prevent forgetfulness. Students would wear sprigs of rosemary in their hair while taking exams! Recent studies find that rosemary may offer a slight improvement in memory. 
• Rosemary does not have a ton of vitamins and minerals compared to vegetables, meat, and fruit, BUT it adds so much flavor and aroma to dishes that it's worth adding.