Herbs

Seasonal Availability
Herbs: All year round

Spinach

The healthy properties of this crop make it the richest in protein of any green vegetable. It boasts a high vitamin A and C content and contains high quantities of iron and calcium.

European awareness of the vegetable was non-existent until the Middle Ages, although the plant was known hundreds of years ago in China.

It can be cooked by boiling in the traditional way, but the development of nouvelle cuisine and salads has added a new dimension to this vegetable.

Cyprus is a major producer with volume shipments to the United Kingdom.

Main Varieties: Vitoflay, Local Curly

Seasonal Availability
Spinach: October to May

Parsley

Parsley contains three times more vitamin C per ounce than an orange, twice as much vitamin A as a carrot and double the iron of spinach.

It is one of the civilisation’s oldest vegetables and was known in ancient Cyprus and Greece for its medicinal properties.

Nowadays, apart from a welcome garnish to both meats and salads, it is also served to subdue strong garlic odours.

Main Varieties: Local and English Curly, Plane, Dark Green Italian

Seasonal Availability
Parsley: All year round

Mint

This herb is very similar to mentha, and is of great importance as a garnish in salads and food.

It is the key ingredient in the famous mint sauce and it can be used dry for making mint tea. Increasing quantities are exported to the United Kingdom and Norway.

Main Varieties: Local Varieties

Seasonal Availability
Mint: February to November

Chillies
This is a crop which Cyprus is developing as part of its increasing range of fruit and vegetables based on the prevailing microclimates.

Some crops are already being grown in limited quantities, particularly for Asian customers in the United Kingdom and specialised retailers. To date, these have usually been grown on a contract basis. As more land becomes available, there are indications that producers will make chillies part of their overall cropping pattern with similarly produced lines, such as capsicums.

Main Varieties: Red and Green, Kenya, Jamaican and Local Varieties

Seasonal Availability
Chillies: June to November

Coriander
This herb, similar to parsley, is used as a garnish for salads, potatoes and meat.

Demand is increasing year on year as consumers get to enjoy the benefits of this crop. It is not surprising, therefore, that coriander has built up a regular export trade which is fast developing.

Main Varieties: Local Varieties, Tamasos

Seasonal Availability
Coriander: All year round

Dill

This herb, similar to fennel, is used increasingly as a garnish for salads.

Production of dill can be found all over Cyprus, and exports are showing a steady increase, reflecting the developing demand situation, particularly in the UK.

Main Varieties: Local Varieties

Seasonal Availability
Dill: November to March

Methi

Methi, often called Fenugreek, is one of the oldest medicinal plants in existence and is still considered very useful in herbal practice.

Methi tea, made from the seeds, is used as a gargle for sore throats and, also, for fevers.

Main Varieties: Trigonella Foenum Graecum

Seasonal Availability
Methi: Octomber to April

Molochia

Molochia belongs to the Tiliaceae family and is a native of East India and North Australia.

It is used mainly by Asian and Middle Eastern nationalities as a garnish in soups (the leaves are dried and chopped), as well as a boiled vegetable served with meat or rice.

Main Varieties: Egyptian Varieties

Seasonal Availability
Molochia: June to November

Okra
Although Okra owes its origins to Africa, it is now available worldwide.

A specialised crop, related to the cotton family of plants, okra is becoming increasingly popular in export markets and Cyprus has achieved remarkable success in its production.

Known also as “ladies’ fingers” and “gumbo” (which is a good source of fibre), the quality produced by specialist growers in Cyprus has allowed the island to develop its sales on markets abroad.