A newly rediscovered herb called "silphium" invades the kitchen giving everything it touches... a better taste,
In ancient times, one of Aristophanes' commentators said that "silphium is precious and cures many ailments". The plant was praised not only by the famous law maker Solon but also by Hippocrates. The ultimate doctor, who admitted it had outstanding therapeutic value.
Theophrastus a native of Eresus (372-287 B.C). the most accomplished botanist of his time pin his book VII, about the history of herbs- talked in every detail about silphium's appearance and unique aspects. In particular, he referred to the root of the plant as silphium itself as opposed to the stem (kaulos) and named the seed "magydaris" and the leaf "maspeton".
The Ancient Greeks called silphium a variety of resinated herbs whose seeds were used not only as spices but also as medicine. The most famous one thrived in Cyrene. The Greek colony on the shores of today's Libya. Under the reign of King Battus, Cyrene enjoyed many important economic and political privileges thanks to its monopoly of the herb.
Silphium was used in the making of a variety of sauces that were poured over different meals. It was also grated with cheese over poultry and meat before cooking. This refined aromatic spice reminded them slightly of garlic and was equally found in the ancient Greek and Roman cuisines.
Aside from cooking it created a real sexual revolution in pharmacology.
And this because women of the 7th century B.C. under doctors' orders. Used a special portion based on silphium as a birth control method. Ancient texts report that they had to drink this special portion- the size of a chickpea once a month with water.
Soranus a famous gynecologist from Ephesus even claimed that this was not only an effective birth control method. But -when used with a special recipe and under certain circumstances- could also terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
The plant understandably became the "goose that laid the golden egg" for the Cyrenian economy. To honor its important contribution to their prosperity. The Cyrenians issued a series of silver and gold tetra-drachms with its Image.
However the endless harvest of the plant brought shortages and eventually its extinction. To our misfortune, at least according to the history books, the last bite of authentic silphium was consumed by Nero, the Roman emperor who spent a fortune to acquire it.
During the expeditions of Alexander the Great, another much cheaper variety was discovered -the "ferula-assa-foetida"- one without silphium's therapeutic properties, and slowly replaced the extinguished plant.
In the rocky areas of Iran and Afghanistan this new variety of the plant is used in cooking to this day.
In western cuisine it is most prevalent in the Worcestershire sauce giving it its' unique aroma.
"Archeon Gefsis" makes every possible effort to offer you the closest tastes to the authentic ancient recipes. So we went to "the four corners of the world" to search for the silphium closest to the famous one from Cyrene.
All you have to do is look for the dish that includes it and order it. Enjoy!

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