Dill: Fresh, Light, and Bright
Fresh and feathery, dill offers soft citrus-herbal notes perfect for seafood, pickles, salads, and classic Eastern European dishes.
Table of content
How Does Dill Taste?
How should dill be used in cooking?
What foods pair well with dill?
How do you store dill?
Why was dill once considered a symbol of wealth and protection in ancient cultures?
Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad
Dill
Anethum Graveolens
What is Dill?
Dill is a versatile herb, cherished both for its delicate feathery leaves and aromatic seeds.
Fresh leaves are often added at the end of cooking to preserve their bright, herbal flavour, while seeds provide a stronger, more pungent taste for pickling, breads, and spice blends.
Dill has been used since ancient Egyptian and Greek times, valued for culinary, medicinal, and even ritual purposes.
It pairs particularly well with fish, potatoes, yogurt-based sauces, and cucumbers, making it a staple in Scandinavian, Eastern European, and Mediterranean cuisines.
Facts about Dill
Flavour & Taste
Dill has a fresh, grassy flavour with bright notes of anise and citrus that bring a clean, lively lift to food. It adds a delicate tang and a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with fish, vegetables, and creamy sauces.
Where Does Dill Come From?
Dill is native to the Mediterranean and West Asia but is now grown worldwide, including in Russia, India, the United States, Germany, and Scandinavian countries. It prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and cooler climates for optimal leaf growth.
Popular Varieties of Dill
Fernleaf dill
Fine, feathery leaves, commonly used fresh in salads, dips, and garnishes.
Bouquet dill
Taller variety with robust stems, often grown for seed production.
Dill seed
Dried seeds used as a spice with a more concentrated flavour than the leaves.
FAQ
How Does Dill Taste?
Dill has a fresh, grassy, and slightly tangy flavour with hints of anise and citrus.
How should dill be used in cooking?
Fresh leaves are best added at the end of cooking or used raw in salads, dips, and garnishes, while seeds provide a stronger flavour for pickling, breads, and spice blends.
What foods pair well with dill?
Dill complements fish, potatoes, yogurt-based sauces, cucumbers, and eggs, making it a staple in Scandinavian, Eastern European, and Mediterranean cuisines.
How do you store dill?
Store fresh dill leaves in the fridge, loosely wrapped in a damp towel, and dill seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve aroma.
Why was dill once considered a symbol of wealth and protection in ancient cultures?
In ancient Greece and Rome, dill wasn’t just a herb — it was a status symbol. Wealthy families burned dill oil as a perfume, and athletes used it to soothe their muscles. Egyptians even included it in tombs as a protective charm. Its aroma and medicinal reputation made dill far more prized than its humble appearance suggests.
Recipe Idea
Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad
Rub a whole chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a generous sprinkle of dried oregano.
Roast at 200°C (400°F) for about 1 hour, basting occasionally with its juices.
Serve with roasted potatoes tossed in olive oil and oregano for a fragrant, comforting meal.
