Chives
Chives are a mild onion-like herb with fine, hollow stems that give dishes a fresh, green lift. They are a classic with potatoes, eggs, cream cheese and fish, and work especially well when added just before serving.
Latin name: Allium schoenoprasum
Origin: Europe and Asia (naturally widespread)
Plant family: Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family)
Height: around 20–40 cm
Flowering period: late spring to summer
Lifespan: perennial
Description
Chives belong to the allium family, just like onion, garlic and leek. The plant forms clumps with narrow, hollow stems that are harvested as “blades”. In season, round purple flower heads appear that are not only attractive, but also edible: the florets have a subtle onion flavour and make a lovely fresh finishing touch on salads and soups.
In the kitchen
The flavour of chives is gentle and fresh, with the recognisable aroma of onion but without the sharpness. They pair perfectly with creamy and light dishes: think of sour cream, curd cheese, yoghurt and cream cheese, but also butter, mayonnaise and vinaigrettes. Chives are delicious over scrambled eggs, omelettes, baked potatoes, potato salad and pea soup, and combine beautifully with fish and shellfish.
Finely slice chives with a sharp knife or snip them with scissors and preferably add them at the end. Prolonged heating dulls the flavour and can create a slightly grassy note. Chives combine well with dill, parsley, lemon, mustard, capers and radish. They also work excellently in herb butter or as part of a fines herbes blend.
In the herb garden
Chives grow easily in the ground or in pots, preferably in sun to partial shade in fertile, lightly moist soil. Cut the blades back regularly to a few centimetres above the ground; this encourages fresh, tender growth. In pots, it is useful to feed or repot them from time to time, as chives appreciate a bit of nourishment.
The plant is hardy: in winter the foliage usually dies back, but in spring chives grow again. By dividing the clumps every few years, you keep the plant vigorous and immediately have extra plants for the garden or balcony.
