What is Chives Herb & Its Addictive Scents
Chives, the fragrant grass-like leaves, are related to garlic, onions, shallots and leeks, but their subtlety is unique. It’s one of those herbs that works well in all kinds of cuisines.
Chives are special for other reasons — they’re native to both the Old and New worlds. You’ll find them growing in Europe, Asia and North America. They’re a worldwide phenomenon!
The green chives are instantly recognizable, and luckily easy to find. They’re easy to use, too, both for its ornamental properties and addictive scents. Here’s all you need to know about what is chives Herb.
What are Chives?
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum, the thin, bright-green stems reminiscent of garlic and onion are among the most amusing ingredients you can add to your cooking repertoire. This herbaceous perennial plant grows thin to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall, and the slender stems might be hollow, but they’re packed with delicious aromas and flavors.
The herb is loved for its onion-like flavors, and they have a tender, delicate texture. Available all year round, you’ll find the freshest chives in spring, when you can even find them with their delicate flowers still attached. The next time you visit your farmers market, get some chives; you won’t regret it.
The Chives Market
What is chives herb? Well, it’s one of the most widely used herbs as a food garnish. They’re just pretty like that, but they add more than good looks to all sorts of preparations; they add enticing flavor and aroma as well.
China is the leading chive producer in the world with an export value of almost 90 million. Interestingly, even though China, Japan and other Asian countries are large consumers, the herb is cherished madly in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France and Germany. Chives are so effortless to use that it’s easy to see why the herb is so popular.
Chives Nutritional Value
Chives are not only super tasty, but they’re also quite nutritious. One hundred grams of chopped chives or about 3.5 ounces, add 4.35g carbs to your diet, 1.85g of sugar, 0.5g of dietary fiber, around 1g of healthy fat and 3g of protein.
In the vitamin department is where chives shine the most. They’ll add 27% of the vitamin A you need for the day and an astonishing 203% of vitamin K. Chives also have adequate amounts of vitamin B and C.
To further complement your nutritional needs, a fistful of chives will add iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc to your diet. That’s a lot of nutrients, literally from A to Z.
Chives Health Benefits
There’s exciting news for our health-conscious readers.
As part of the Allium family, chives are linked to reduced cancer risk, including breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
Chives contain a compound called carotenoids, which are fantastic for eye health. Eating them regularly can improve your eyesight. Carotenoids are also the key to have radiant skin!
Allicin in chives is a potent anti-inflammatory, which can aid against hypertension, joint pain, and even heart disease.
Chives aid digestion. They have antibacterial properties and can promote healthy gut bacteria.
The exorbitant amounts of vitamin K in chives play a role in bone metabolism, blood clotting, and regulating blood calcium levels. Other super foods like kale are high in vitamin K as well.
How to Cook With Chives
Chives are often used raw as a garnish, finely chopped and sprinkled over food. But they can also be added to stews and broths, stir-fries and any other concoction that could benefit from a little garlicky flavor.
Chives recipes abound. You’ll find them at the breakfast table in omelets and as crucial elements in lunch salads. Try sprinkling them over mashed potatoes or over roasted chicken to get the most of the herb during dinner.
Keep in mind that there are more than one type of chives. The real chives or onion chives are hollow, while the Chinese chives, also called garlic chives, are more pungent and have flat leaves.
Chives Why Not Use Them Daily?
Along with tarragon, chervil and parsley. Chives are considered a fine herb, and no other condiment can compete with its savory aromatics.
It’s time to start decorating your dishes with chives. The oldest trick in the book at fine restaurants can be an ace up your sleeve in your home cooking.
Pretty, inexpensive, versatile and always available. What more can you ask from a herb? We have compiled a curated herbs shopping list.
Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Chives Herb
Photo by MartinEdstrom / Wild chives grow on a stony beach on the Stockholm archipelago. While out kayaking or boating among the thousands of islands here, you can always find these chives around—and they make for great seasoning. As a typical Swedish tradition, try them with herring. In fact, ask any Swede: They simply wouldn't eat herring without chives. #Sweden #chives
Breakfast Shepherds Pie⠀
INGREDIENTS:⠀
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks⠀
1/4 cup sour cream⠀
3 tbsp butter⠀
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated⠀
2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped⠀
Salt and freshly ground black pepper⠀
⠀
PIE:⠀
Butter, for greasing⠀
1 cup spinach⠀
1 vine tomato, chopped and deseeded⠀
1 onion, finely chopped⠀
8 large eggs, plus 4⠀
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated⠀
2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped, plus more ⠀
for garnish⠀
Salt and freshly ground black pepper⠀
4 slices deli ham⠀
⠀
STEPS:⠀
Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.⠀
When the potatoes are cooked, drain and allow to steam for 10 minutes, then use a ricer to rice the potatoes back into a pan. Add the sour cream, butter, cheese, and chives and season with salt and pepper. Stir and mash together until everything is melted and the potatoes are smooth. Place into a piping bag and set aside.⠀
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9-inch square baking dish with butter.⠀
In a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil. In a large colander over the sink, place the spinach and pour the boiled water over it. Use the back of a large spoon to squeeze out as much water as possible. Place it in the bottom of your baking dish, spreading evenly to cover the bottom. Next, sprinkle over the chopped tomato and onion.⠀
Whisk together the 8 eggs, cheese, 1 tablespoon chives, and season well with salt and pepper. Pour evenly over the vegetables in the bottom of the dish. Followed by the ham slices on top, covering the egg mixture to the edges.⠀
Pipe the mashed potato over the ham slices in a decorative pattern and then using the back of a spoon make 4 ‘wells’ in the top of the casserole.⠀
Bake in the oven for 1 hour, then remove and add the remaining 4 eggs to the wells. Place back into the oven for 5 minutes or until the eggs are cooked.⠀
Season the eggs and sprinkle the remaining chives on top. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.⠀
#shepherdspie #breakfasttime #mashedpotatoes #chives #cheddarcheese
Sources:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/275009
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chives
- www.escoffieronline.com/the-difference-between-chives-scallions-and-green-onions/
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-chives-995617
- https://www.tridge.com/products/garlic-chive/import
I do like Chives but don’t use them that often though clearly I should be. I had no idea they had so many wonderful properties and are so good for you.
As I grow them in the garden so I will make more of an effort to use Chives regularly now after reading this.
Thank you for a very interesting and informative post, I enjoyed learning more about this tasty herb and it has inspired me to make more use of it in my cooking.
Thanks Linda
Wow. What an interesting read of an article. I can certainly say that I have learned more just from reading this and I have something to talk about at parties hehe. I’m an absolute nutrition nerd and it;s articles like these that really give me insight in what I love to learn about. I’ve heard somewhere that chives herb can be used for wounds. Is that real? or just bs?
thank you Misael
What an awesome little post. Really enjoyed reading this. I wasn’t aware that chives have so many medical or health benefits. It’s actually something that I really like to have as a fresh garnish. Now knowing that there are some pretty neat health benefits to it as well. I will probably enjoy it on a more regular basis.
Thank you
Rob
Thanks Rob