A Chives, Onion and Fresh Light Herb

Chives are a perennial herb Allium schoenoprasum, a member of the lily family, Liliaceae. Native to Europe, Asia and North America, chives are used to flavor many foods with a mild onion flavor.

On onion chives are used to similar growth. The bulbs and leaves grow in clumps. Chives plant propagation is successful, dividing clusters established in small pieces. Small white bulbous roots can be planted individually.

Flowers climbing stems separated and flowers bloom in umbels pretty pink, purple or blue. The flower heads have a distinctly round appearance, a common characteristic for Allium species linked grown in flower gardens in their unique spherical flower heads that can reach four or five inches in diameter. In the largest varieties of flower stems reach three feet tall with striking compact flower head at the top. chives culinary flowers are about a foot tall. Flowers rarely produce seeds, so that the spread is appropriate through the root division.

Chives are used to flavor many foods with a mild onion flavor. Chives go well with eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, sauces and pasta, soups, salads, vegetable dishes and fish. chives cut frozen or lyophilized chives may also be available. Chives are one of the ingredients in the mixture of herbs called herbs used in French cuisine.

Gardens of herbs and cooking herbs pots do well with chives. Cut the long, thin, hollow green leaves at the base and cut with scissors on food to be seasoned.

Fresh chives are rich in vitamin C and iron. The powerful and clear flavor of chives can excite enough taste for salt is not added to the dish. If regularly used as a salt substitute, chives could help people sensitive to salt to reduce your sodium intake in efforts to reduce your blood pressure.

Like other members of the genus Allium, chives contain allicin compound, a chemical naturally occurring that may confer health benefits to their fans. This may be of interest to everyone with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a predisposition to heart disease. Allicin has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce high blood pressure.