Details:
Spice of the Month for August is Dill Weed. Available August 4, 2025, on the Main Circulation Floor, one per person, while supplies last. Each bag contains the spice, a recipe to try and information about the spice. Share your finished recipe with us on social media @PLMVKC #spiceofthemonth!
Origin of Dill Weed
Botanically known as Anethum graveolens, dill belongs to the same family as parsley and celery, though it is the sole species of its genus. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. The word dill comes from old Norse word dylla, meaning to soothe or lull. It dates back in writing to about 3000 B.C. when it earned a mention in Egyptian medical texts.
In the 1st century Rome, dill weed was considered a good luck symbol. Ancient Egyptians used it to ward off witches and as an aphrodisiac. To the Greeks, dill signified wealth. Many cultures cultivated it for medicinal qualities, particularly its ability to soothe an ailing stomach. It's even mentioned in the Bible. Puritans and Quakers gave their children dill seeds to chew on while at church as an appetite suppressant. Modern wisdom gives dill seed credit as a breath freshener and anti-bacterial, plus it's believed to stimulate milk production in breastfeeding women and alleviate colic.
Source: https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-history-of-dill-1807592.
