|
South Greenland - a culinary herb garden
In South Greenland there is a wide variety of wild herbs that for centuries have been fundamental to the population’s survival, health and food culture.
Text: greenland today , Photo: Marianne Bjerre, Kvann. March 2011
The use and application of South Greenland’s wild herbs is sadly almost forgotten, which is a great shame. The herbs no longer have the same importance to public health and the flavour of food as before. In line with the growing influence and import of goods from the rest of the world, the use and flavour of these herbs have been replaced in the shops by herbs from around the world.
Nordic flavour
When the Vikings went raiding across the North Atlantic over 1000 years ago to find new land to the north, angelica (Angelica Archangelica) was a vital and basic foodstuff. The Vikings took the plant with them from Scandinavia and its high content of vitamin C, amongst other things, meant they did not die from scurvy during their long voyage.
The plant was highly regarded and used throughout Scandinavia, including Denmark. People cultivated it in special gardens and utilized the entire plant; leaves, seeds, stems and roots. You still can, but not many are aware of it.
Against this background, a new company has been formed called »Kvann«, who together with the local South Greenland sheep farmers, will restore the forgotten traditions of the use of the unique herbs. They hope the »New Nordic Cuisine« will become aware of the qualities of your having »own herb garden«. The company also hopes to contribute to creating new revenue bases for outlying areas that are losing their livelihoods.
A taste of the Arctic
Angelica is already known in northern Europe, but the angelica that grows on the edge of an arctic area like South Greenland, has a totally unique and delicate flavour that is not found nowhere else in the world.
Angelica’s fresh shoots are picked during the two warmest summer months. Then they are gently air-dried. After the season the herbs are sent to Denmark, where further processing, checking and packing are carried out.
Ultimately there are many more herbs and products that could be added to the South Greenland range. All the herbs have an unusually delicate and aromatic flavour as a result of the special conditions for cultivation.
Several projects are underway
This summer a cultural trip to southern Greenland will be launched, where under expert guidance you can venture into the mountains and pick your own herbs. Later in the trip there is a two day exclusive culinary course using the best local ingredients and prepared using your own collected herbs.
Work is under way on a culture cookbook with more than 50 new recipes using Greenland’s herbs and in cooperation with the Greenland agricultural experimental research station in Upernaviarsuk, Kvann has started an arctic thyme propagation project. Over the next two to four years it will be possible to determine whether there will be a new and lucrative crop for the South Greenland sheep farmers in the cultivation of thyme.
Facts
www.kvann.dk
Cultural Trip: See more on the
website or email info@kvann.dk
or telephone +45 32115678 for further information.
|
