Contents
Properties of Crithmum maritimum
What is a rock samphire plant?
Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) is a halophilic plant that grows on coastal
cliffs, native to the Mediterranean Sea and some areas of the European Atlantic and the Cantabrian Sea.
Uses of sea fennel
This plant stands out because it is edible and is present in the traditional gastronomy of the Balearic Islands and many coastal towns in the United Kingdom, Canary Islands, Italy or Greece.
However, due to its ecological importance and limited geographical extent, it is a protected species and its collection may be prohibited in some areas.
Characteristics of sea fennel
Botanically it belongs to the Apiaceae family (Apiaceae), and is related to common fennel.
What does sea fennel taste like?
Sea fennel has a slightly spicy and very aromatic flavor, reminiscent of the taste of lemon and common fennel.
Health benefits of sea fennel
Historically, rock samphire has been a plant used as an antiscorbutic and a source of vitamin C. Scurvy is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. Sailors on the high seas especially suffered from this disease, since vitamin C is abundant in raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, perishable products to take on long sea voyages.
Pickled rock samphire was a highly prized delicacy on the high seas due to its high vitamin C content, which helped prevent scurvy disease in sailors.
Antioxidant properties of sea fennel
Plants are complex organisms capable of manufacturing the adaptation
mechanisms necessary to grow in their natural environment. In the case of common fennel, this plant contains vitamin C and chlorogenic acid, both powerful natural antioxidant substances that protect it from the solar radiation to which it is exposed in coastal areas.
Eating sea fennel provides valuable antioxidants to our diet. We can eat these components with the fresh plant or in pickles; ideal in our salad or in the popular Catalan tomato bread.
Other uses of sea fennel
- Digestive system: With properties similar to common fennel, sea fennel can be used as a remedy to promote digestion and eliminate flatulence. (Infusion of 3 tablespoons of dried plant per liter of water. Take a couple of cups a day)
- Appetizer: the aromatic substances contained in sea fennel provide appetite-stimulating properties.
More information on sea fennel
