Dill

Dill - [Shubit (Semitic); Shepu, Sowa (Asia); Thi la (Vietnam); Anethum graveolens]
Dill Fronds Originating in Eastern Europe and/or Western Asia, dill has been cultivated since Neolithic times. The Talmud (Jewish law) requires tithes be paid in dill seeds and stems. and some stems were found in the toumb of Tutankaman.

Fresh Dill: A favorite herb in Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, the Caucasus and into Persia and "the Stans", fresh dill is widely available in Los Angeles where those eths abound, but many Americans know it only as something that goes into dill pickles. Dill is also used through India and Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam.

Dill Seed: is suprisingly hard to find in regular supermarkets, and can be in tiny quantity for an outrageous price when it is found. It can, however, be easily found at reasonable prices in Indian and many other ethnic markets.

Buying & Storage: Avoid wilt or any yellowing, both of which indicate the bunch will soon go to rot. Fresh crisp dill, loosely wrapped in plastic and stored in the fidge will last about a week, then decline rapidly.

Cooking: Fresh dill is often used raw, but also cooked in recipes. In either case the stems are quite tender, so when chopping you can include all the small stems. When using lengths to include in pickles larger stems can be included as they have quit a bit of the flavor.

Dill Seed remains viable for 1 to 3 years, so 2 years is probably a good maximum storage time. Store away from light and heat in a well sealed jar.