Arugula was considered an aphrodisiac by Virgil, the ancient Egyptians used basil for embalming and in the tomb of Tutankhamen, the cornflowers were still blue after three millennia. If you find any of this compelling, I highly recommend Monica Nelson’s “Edible Flowers,” which is packed with weird, fun, interesting and occasionally useful information about 100 different flowers. Goldenrod was used as a tea substitute after the Boston Tea Party, and Julius Caesar’s soldiers flogged themselves with nettles to stay alert.

On a culinary note, marigolds were churned with cream to add a richer color, mustard is planted in vineyards to help aerate the soil and hops can be used to flavor dishes much like bay leaf. My favorite tidbit is the variety of names used for violets, including love-lies-bleeding and Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me. Also compelling is the depth of medicinal and culinary knowledge regarding plants that have gone to seed, as it were. Our connection to the natural world was once a thing of great joy and value, now restricted to the works of dedicated researchers like Nelson.

Christopher Kimball

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

And if you're looking for more Milk Street, check out our livestream cooking classes with our favorite chefs, home cooks and friends for global recipes, cooking methods and more.