--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Kitchens have their seasons. And in this…" description: "\"“Kitchens have their seasons. And in this subterranean world, hidden from rainstorms and eager winds, is a world of wheat, wine and herbs. Always herbs..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/caroline-eden-44880_basil_kitchens-have-their-seasons-and-in-this_2334761.jpg" --- # Kitchens have their seasons. And in this subterranean… ![“Kitchens have their seasons. And in this subterranean world, hidden from rainstorms and eager winds, is a world of wheat, wine and herbs. Always herbs. Herbs with balm in their leaves and flavor in their throats. A harvest of herbs on the windowsill. Parsley, coriander, tarragon. Basil, of…” quote by Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/caroline-eden-44880_basil_kitchens-have-their-seasons-and-in-this_2334761.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/caroline-eden-44880_basil_kitchens-have-their-seasons-and-in-this_2334761.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddd/caroline-eden-44880_basil_kitchens-have-their-seasons-and-in-this_2334761.jpg) > ““Kitchens have their seasons. And in this subterranean world, hidden from rainstorms and eager winds, is a world of wheat, wine and herbs. Always herbs. Herbs with balm in their leaves and flavor in their throats. A harvest of herbs on the windowsill. Parsley, coriander, tarragon. Basil, of different varieties, Greek with its anise-clove flavor and 'Sweet Genovese' with its jumbo cinnamon leaves. By the stove, I am chopping mint, coriander, tarragon, basil and parsley. The leaves and stems will go into a soup inspired by a region that taught me just what can be done with herbs, the South Caucasus--- that is Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. From springtime until winter, whole bouquets of herbs arrive ceremoniously to the table, sometimes so fresh that clumps of earth still cling to their pale whiskery roots. Vital as bread, drawing eyes and senses forward, they are the centerpiece of the table. Intensely fresh and fragrant, unbruised and unwilted, they are a meal, a feast. Vitamins after a long winter. Never an afterthought, a mere sprinkling, or worse, 'a pinch'. At breakfast, oozing omelettes filled with molten white cheese and blades of tarragon. At lunch, bulgur salad, always more leaf than wheat. Ice cream is mint, sorbet is basil, soda is tarragon. In warmer months, they are refreshing, health-giving and sanity-saving as the sun starts hammering down. So today, in this kitchen of a hundred crossroads, to welcome the beginning of spring, I will bless this soup with a crop of fresh herbs.”” [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage celebrates seasonal herbs as essential, vibrant ingredients that enrich meals, health, and cultural identity, especially in the South Caucasus region. **In simple terms:** Herbs are vital, fresh, and culturally rich ingredients. Key Takeaway Embrace seasonal herbs fully in cooking. Themes food culture seasonality health culinary arts Mood joyful nostalgic inspired Type descriptive celebratory culinary. When to use this quote - spring cooking - southern Caucasus dishes - herb-focused meals - nutrient-rich diets Key Concepts herbal nutrition regional cuisine sensory experience Questions to Reflect On - How can you preserve herbs for off‑season use? - What cultural stories do your local herbs hold? A Different Perspective Herbs may be unavailable out of season, limiting the described diversity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basil/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Fresh Herbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fresh-herbs-1616415/) [Herbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herbs/) [Herbs Herbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herbs-herbs-5630024/) [Ice cream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ice-cream/) [In-the-kitchen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/in-the-kitchen-90133/) [Springtime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/springtime/) [Tarragon Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tarragon-basil-5630023/) ## Related quotes > [“She sat down in front of her open pantry and breathed deeply. She reached forward and patted the large clear jar of dried flageolet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-killham/she-sat-down-in-front-of-her-open-pantry-and-breathed-deeply-she/) [Nina Killham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-killham/) > [“Gabe, did you pray?' 'Sort of.' 'Me too. Do you believe?' 'No. Do you?' 'No.' 'I don't believe,' said Gabriel, 'But I have faith,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-ali/gabe-did-you-pray-sort-of-me-too-do-you-believe-no-do-you-no-i-don-t/) [Monica Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-ali/) > [Fresh herbs really belong anywhere you put them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-guarnaschelli/fresh-herbs-really-belong-anywhere-you-put-them/) [Alex Guarnaschelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-guarnaschelli/) > [Any British household with a scrap of land has always grown herbs for the kitchen. From the superb monastic herb gardens down to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-don/any-british-household-with-a-scrap-of-land-has-always-grown-herbs-for/) [Monty Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-don/) > [“Try fresh parsley, basil, dill, and cilantro instead of the dried versions to add fresh, distinct flavors to your dishes (the general rule of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-fuhrman/try-fresh-parsley-basil-dill-and-cilantro-instead-of-the-dried/) [Joel Fuhrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-fuhrman/) > [“Springtime in Turkey and the South Caucasus is idealized for good reason. Valleys are carpeted with wildflowers and the land is one of bewildering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/springtime-in-turkey-and-the-south-caucasus-is-idealized-for-good/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil. Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/conscience-and-cowardice-are-really-the-same-things-basil-conscience/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Basil Stag Hare tut-tutted severely as he remarked to Ambrose Spike, 'Tch, tch. Dreadful table manners. Just look at those three wallahs, kicking up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-jacques/basil-stag-hare-tut-tutted-severely-as-he-remarked-to-ambrose-spike/) [Brian Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-jacques/) > [ Ernie Hayes, Jimmy Lewis, and either Belton Evans or Khalil Mahdi on drums \[were in Sweet Basil\]. All those guys really took care of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/ernie-hayes-jimmy-lewis-and-either-belton-evans-or-khalil-mahdi-on/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [When I was thinking about what we could do in terms of what production values of Broadway might be able to add to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-timbers/when-i-was-thinking-about-what-we-could-do-in-terms-of-what/) [Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-timbers/) > [“He is some brainless beautiful creature who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/he-is-some-brainless-beautiful-creature-who-should-be-always-here-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I think you are wrong, Basil, but I won't argue with you. It is only the intellectually lost who ever argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-think-you-are-wrong-basil-but-i-won-t-argue-with-you-it-is-only-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The scent organ was playing a delightfully refreshing Herbal Capriccio - rippling arpeggios of thyme and lavender, of rosemary, basil, myrtle, tarragon; a series…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-scent-organ-was-playing-a-delightfully-refreshing-herbal/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [ Illy \[Ray Illingworth\] had the man-management skills of Basil Fawlty ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-gough/illy-ray-illingworth-had-the-man-management-skills-of-basil-fawlty/) [Darren Gough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-gough/) > [If you've got a plot the size of a car or a tiny yard in Italy, you're going to be growing tomatoes and basil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mayes/if-you-ve-got-a-plot-the-size-of-a-car-or-a-tiny-yard-in-italy-you-re/) [Frances Mayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mayes/) ## More by Caroline Eden > [“In Edinburgh, the hoşaf, taking its name from the Persian, meaning 'delightful water', because that is exactly what it is, bubbles on. Fruit plumping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/in-edinburgh-the-ho-af-taking-its-name-from-the-persian-meaning/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“Springtime in Turkey and the South Caucasus is idealized for good reason. Valleys are carpeted with wildflowers and the land is one of bewildering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/springtime-in-turkey-and-the-south-caucasus-is-idealized-for-good/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“I cast concerns away and instead wallow in the heady rosy-lavender-ish fragrance that is rising from the pan on the stove. Intense and intoxicating,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/i-cast-concerns-away-and-instead-wallow-in-the-heady-rosy-lavender/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“But despite heavy clouds, a feeling of contentment hangs in the air, coming from the kitchen's ability to be two things at once: to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/but-despite-heavy-clouds-a-feeling-of-contentment-hangs-in-the-air/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“Tiger-orange, and so dreamy and evocative of name, cloudberries had been on my mind for years. The first time I ever came across them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/tiger-orange-and-so-dreamy-and-evocative-of-name-cloudberries-had/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“And the fog. The purple fog, blue fog and white fog. Film noir fog. How I love the sheer romance of it; disorientating, dominating,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/and-the-fog-the-purple-fog-blue-fog-and-white-fog-film-noir-fog-how-i/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“And bundles upon bundles of fresh ferny herbs in shades of pine green, pickle green and pistachio green-- a whole color chart of green.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/and-bundles-upon-bundles-of-fresh-ferny-herbs-in-shades-of-pine-green/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) > [“Setbacks and failure are all part of a well-balanced kitchen diet and life. I have come to know this. And it makes me think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-eden/setbacks-and-failure-are-all-part-of-a-well-balanced-kitchen-diet-and/) [Caroline Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) [Explore all 9 Caroline Eden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-eden/) ## More Basil quotes > [If you've got a plot the size of a car or a tiny yard in Italy, you're going to be growing tomatoes and basil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-mayes/if-you-ve-got-a-plot-the-size-of-a-car-or-a-tiny-yard-in-italy-you-re/) [Frances Mayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-mayes/) > [ Illy \[Ray Illingworth\] had the man-management skills of Basil Fawlty ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-gough/illy-ray-illingworth-had-the-man-management-skills-of-basil-fawlty/) [Darren Gough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-gough/) > [The scent organ was playing a delightfully refreshing Herbal Capriccio - rippling arpeggios of thyme and lavender, of rosemary, basil, myrtle, tarragon; a series…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-scent-organ-was-playing-a-delightfully-refreshing-herbal/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I think you are wrong, Basil, but I won't argue with you. It is only the intellectually lost who ever argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-think-you-are-wrong-basil-but-i-won-t-argue-with-you-it-is-only-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“He is some brainless beautiful creature who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/he-is-some-brainless-beautiful-creature-who-should-be-always-here-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [When I was thinking about what we could do in terms of what production values of Broadway might be able to add to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-timbers/when-i-was-thinking-about-what-we-could-do-in-terms-of-what/) [Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-timbers/) > [ Ernie Hayes, Jimmy Lewis, and either Belton Evans or Khalil Mahdi on drums \[were in Sweet Basil\]. All those guys really took care of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/ernie-hayes-jimmy-lewis-and-either-belton-evans-or-khalil-mahdi-on/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [Basil Stag Hare tut-tutted severely as he remarked to Ambrose Spike, 'Tch, tch. Dreadful table manners. Just look at those three wallahs, kicking up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-jacques/basil-stag-hare-tut-tutted-severely-as-he-remarked-to-ambrose-spike/) [Brian Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-jacques/) > [Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil. Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/conscience-and-cowardice-are-really-the-same-things-basil-conscience/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Basil Fawlty was an easy character for me. For some reason, portraying a mean uptight incompetent bully comes naturally to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cleese/basil-fawlty-was-an-easy-character-for-me-for-some-reason-portraying/) [John Cleese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cleese/) > [I was also sitting in from the middle of senior year of high school at Sweet Basil, it was a great club in New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/i-was-also-sitting-in-from-the-middle-of-senior-year-of-high-school/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [“Forgiveness is a lot like basil, it's so strong that you only need a little to change the whole recipe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-e-wrightmoor/forgiveness-is-a-lot-like-basil-it-s-so-strong-that-you-only-need-a/) [Will E. Wrightmoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-e-wrightmoor/) > [“He once called her his basil plant; and when she asked for an explanation, said that basil was a plant which had flourished wonderfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/he-once-called-her-his-basil-plant-and-when-she-asked-for-an/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“Basil flushed and made a poor pass. He had been called by a nickname. It was a poor makeshift, but it was something more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/basil-flushed-and-made-a-poor-pass-he-had-been-called-by-a-nickname/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [That's definitely true! It was before my father died, so I can't attribute it to an obsession with death. When I was seven, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/that-s-definitely-true-it-was-before-my-father-died-so-i-can-t/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) [Browse all 44 Basil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Kitchens have their seasons. And in this subterranean world, hidden from rainstorms and eager winds, is a world of wheat, wine and herbs. Always herbs. Herbs with balm in their leaves and flavor in their throats. A harvest of herbs on the windowsill. Parsley, coriander, tarragon. Basil, of different varieties, Greek with its anise-clove flavor and 'Sweet Genovese' with its jumbo cinnamon leaves. By the stove, I am chopping mint, coriander, tarragon, basil and parsley. The leaves and stems will go into a soup inspired by a region that taught me just what can be done with herbs, the South Caucasus--- that is Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. From springtime until winter, whole bouquets of herbs arrive ceremoniously to the table, sometimes so fresh that clumps of earth still cling to their pale whiskery roots. Vital as bread, drawing eyes and senses forward, they are the centerpiece of the table. Intensely fresh and fragrant, unbruised and unwilted, they are a meal, a feast. Vitamins after a long winter. Never an afterthought, a mere sprinkling, or worse, 'a pinch'. At breakfast, oozing omelettes filled with molten white cheese and blades of tarragon. At lunch, bulgur salad, always more leaf than wheat. Ice cream is mint, sorbet is basil, soda is tarragon. In warmer months, they are refreshing, health-giving and sanity-saving as the sun starts hammering down. 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