Chives

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This article is about the edible plant common in Western cuisine. For the Asian vegetable (garlic chives, Chinese chives) see Allium tuberosum. For other uses see chives (disambiguation)
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Allium schoenoprasum J1.JPG
Illustration Allium schoenoprasum and Allium cepa0 clean.jpg
Allium schoenoprasum (left)
and Allium cepa (right)[1]
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Species:
A. schoenoprasum
Binomial name
Allium schoenoprasum
Synonyms
Synonymy
  • Cepa schoenoprasa (L.) Moench
  • Ascalonicum schoenoprasum (L.) P.Renault
  • Allium gredense Rivas Goday
  • Porrum schoenoprasum (L.) Schur
  • Schoenoprasum vulgare Fourr.
  • Allium sibiricum L.
  • Allium palustre Chaix
  • Allium tenuifolium Salisb.
  • Allium foliosum Clairv. ex DC.
  • Allium acutum Spreng.
  • Allium tenuifolium Pohl
  • Cepa tenuifolia (Salisb.) Gray
  • Allium reflexum F.Dietr.
  • Allium riparium Opiz
  • Allium carneum Schult. & Schult.f.
  • Allium alpinum (DC.) Hegetschw.
  • Allium broteri Kunth
  • Allium punctulatum Schltdl.
  • Porrum sibiricum (L.) Schur
  • Allium buhseanum Regel
  • Allium raddeanum Regel
  • Allium purpurascens Losa
  • Allium idzuense H.Hara
  • Allium udinicum Antsupova
  • Allium ubinicum Kotukhov
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Chives, raw
Allium schoenoprasum in NH 01.jpg
A clump of flowering chives
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 126 kJ (30 kcal)
4.35 g
Sugars 1.85 g
Dietary fiber 2.5 g
0.73 g
3.27 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
(27%)
218 μg
(24%)
2612 μg
323 μg
Thiamine (B1)
(7%)
0.078 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
(10%)
0.115 mg
Niacin (B3)
(4%)
0.647 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
(6%)
0.324 mg
Vitamin B6
(11%)
0.138 mg
Folate (B9)
(26%)
105 μg
Vitamin C
(70%)
58.1 mg
Vitamin E
(1%)
0.21 mg
Vitamin K
(203%)
212.7 μg
Minerals
Calcium
(9%)
92 mg
Iron
(12%)
1.6 mg
Magnesium
(12%)
42 mg
Manganese
(18%)
0.373 mg
Phosphorus
(8%)
58 mg
Potassium
(6%)
296 mg
Zinc
(6%)
0.56 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database
Chive flower
Flower with bud
Chive flower
Fully open flower
Chive seeds
Chive seedlings sprouting

Chives is the common name of Allium schoenoprasum, an edible species of the Allium genus.[2]

A perennial plant, it is widespread in nature across much of Europe, Asia and North America.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

A. schoenoprasum is the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old Worlds.[citation needed]

The name of the species derives from the Greek σχοίνος, skhoínos (sedge) and πράσον, práson (leek).[9] Its English name, chives, derives from the French word cive, from cepa, the Latin word for onion.[10]

Chives are a commonly used herb and can be found in grocery stores or grown in home gardens. In culinary use, the scapes and the unopened, immature flower buds are diced and used as an ingredient for fish, potatoes, soups, and other dishes. Chives have insect-repelling properties that can be used in gardens to control pests.[11]

Biology

Chives are a bulb-forming herbaceous perennial plant, growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall. The bulbs are slender, conical, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). broad, and grow in dense clusters from the roots. The scapes (or stems) are hollow and tubular, up to 50 cm (20 in) long and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). across, with a soft texture, although, prior to the emergence of a flower, they may appear stiffer than usual. The leaves, which are shorter than the scapes, are also hollow and tubular, or terete, (round in cross-section) which distinguishes it at a glance from Garlic Chives. The flowers are pale purple, and star-shaped with six petals, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide, and produced in a dense inflorescence of 10-30 together; before opening, the inflorescence is surrounded by a papery bract. The seeds are produced in a small three-valved capsule, maturing in summer. The herb flowers from April to May in the southern parts of its habitat zones and in June in the northern parts.[12][13]

Chives are the only species of Allium native to both the Old World and the New World. Sometimes, the plants found in North America are classified as A. schoenoprasum var. sibiricum, although this is disputed. Differences among specimens are significant. One example was found in northern Maine growing solitary, instead of in clumps, also exhibiting dingy grey flowers.[14]

Although chives are repulsive to insects in general, due to their sulfur compounds, their flowers attract bees, and they are at times kept to increase desired insect life.[15]

Uses

Culinary arts

Chives are grown for their scapes, which are used for culinary purposes as a flavoring herb, and provide a somewhat milder flavor than those of other Allium species.

Chives have a wide variety of culinary uses, such as in traditional dishes in France, Sweden and elsewhere.[16] In his 1806 book Attempt at a Flora (Försök til en flora), Retzius describes how chives are used with pancakes, soups, fish and sandwiches.[16] They are also an ingredient of the gräddfil sauce with the traditional herring dish served at Swedish midsummer celebrations. The flowers may also be used to garnish dishes.[17] In Poland and Germany, chives are served with quark cheese. Chives are one of the "fines herbes" of French cuisine, which also include tarragon, chervil and/or parsley. Chives can be found fresh at most markets year-round, making them readily available; they can also be dry-frozen without much impairment to the taste, giving home growers the opportunity to store large quantities harvested from their own gardens.[10]

Uses in plant cultivation

Retzius also describes how farmers would plant chives between the rocks making up the borders of their flowerbeds, to keep the plants free from pests (such as Japanese beetles).[16][18] The growing plant repels unwanted insect life, and the juice of the leaves can be used for the same purpose, as well as fighting fungal infections, mildew and scab.[19][20][21]

Its flowers are attractive to bees, which are important for gardens with an abundance of plants in need of pollination.

Medicine

The medicinal properties of chives are similar to those of garlic, but weaker; the faint effects in comparison with garlic are probably the main reason for their limited use as a medicinal herb. Containing numerous organosulfur compounds such as allyl sulfides[22] and alkyl sulfoxides, chives are reported to have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system.[citation needed] They also have mild stimulant, diuretic, and antiseptic properties.[23] As chives are usually served in small amounts and never as the main dish, negative effects are rarely encountered, although digestive problems may occur following overconsumption.[dead link][24]

Chives are also rich in vitamins A and C,[25] contain trace amounts of sulfur, and are rich in calcium and iron.[dead link][26]

Cultivation

Chives are cultivated both for their culinary uses and their ornamental value; the violet flowers are often used in ornamental dry bouquets.[27]

Chives thrive in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6-7 and full sun.[8] They can be grown from seed and mature in summer, or early the following spring. Typically, chives need to be germinated at a temperature of 15 to 20 °C (60-70 °F) and kept moist. They can also be planted under a cloche or germinated indoors in cooler climates, then planted out later. After at least four weeks, the young shoots should be ready to be planted out. They are also easily propagated by division.[28]

In cold regions, chives die back to the underground bulbs in winter, with the new leaves appearing in early spring. Chives starting to look old can be cut back to about 2–5 cm. When harvesting, the needed number of stalks should be cut to the base.[28] During the growing season, the plant will continually regrow leaves, allowing for a continuous harvest.[28]

History and cultural importance

Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages (5th until the 15th centuries), although their usage dates back 5000 years.[10] They were sometimes referred to as "rush leeks" (from the Greek schoinos meaning rush and prason meaning leek).[citation needed]

The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from sunburn or a sore throat. They believed eating chives could increase blood pressure and act as a diuretic.[29]

Romanian Gypsies have used chives in fortune telling.[25] It was believed that bunches of dried chives hung around a house would ward off disease and evil.[25]

References

  1. ↑ 1885 illustration. Original book source: Prof. Otto Wilhelm Thomé; Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. 1885, Gera, Germany
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Flora of China Vol. 24 Page 195 北葱 bei cong Allium schoenoprasum
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Flora of North America Vol. 26 Page 240 Chive Allium schoenoprasum
  7. ↑ Altervista Flora Italiana, Erba cipollina, wild chives, Civette, Schnittlauch, Allium schoenoprasum L. includes photos, drawings, European distribution map, etc.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Allium schoenoprasum factsheet from Kemper center for home gardening
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Allium schoenoprasum factsheet, from Kemper center for home gardening, retrieved on June 13, 2006, based on the position of the botanical Garden (Missouri)
  13. ↑ Gräslök, from Den virtuella floran, retrieved on June 13, 2006, The facts mentioned on the site apply to Sweden, which is in the northern part of the habitat zone.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. 0
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Försök til en Flora Oeconomica Sveciæ by A. J. Retzius (1806)
  17. ↑ Allium schoenoprasum, from Mountain valley growers, accessed on June 13, 2006
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
  20. ↑ Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
  21. ↑ Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Chive Talkin', by Winston J. Craig, Ph. D
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Chives, from "Sally's place", accessed on May 31, 2009 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "sal" defined multiple times with different content
  26. ↑ Organic Gardening Practices. Archived December 7, 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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