Herbs: Pure and Simple

Jekka McVicar’s delightful horticultural and culinary exploration

Listen as culinary herb grower Jekka McVicar take us on a journey exploring the heritage, remedies, delights and hidden secrets of some of our most beloved herbs.

Jekka is an English organic gardening expert, author, and broadcaster, particularly on the cultivation and use of herbs. Jekka's Herb Farm, near Bristol, has the largest collection of culinary herbs in the UK, with more than 600 different varieties. She has worked closely with chefs from Jamie Oliver to Raymond Blanc, and is inspiring a new generation of chefs to use herbs in highly inventive and original ways.

Over this series Jekka speaks with a range of experts, from museum curators and farmers to botanists and herbalists. She takes a deep dive into the different herb families – from mint and daisy to the carrot, borage and lily families – revealing practical herbal remedies and hidden delights. Finally, she explores not only the taste but also the healing properties of tropical herbs, and the beauty benefits of the rose.

Also included here is an episode of The Food Programme, ‘The Herbal World of Jekka McVicar’, in which Sheila Dillon takes a walk through Jekka’s Herb Farm and discovers a world of ancient knowledge, vivid flavours and taste possibilities.

There’s never been a better time to learn more about herbs - simple plants that can elevate our food, health, happiness!

Praise for 100 Herbs to Grow by Jekka McVicar:

‘Jekka knows herbs like no one else’ – Jamie Oliver

‘No one has done more to both educate and enthuse the nation in the appreciation and use of herbs as part of our gardens and kitchens as Jekka.’ – Monty Don

Produced by Sarah Davis and Sarah Conkey

Herbs: Pure and Simple was first broadcast between June 1999 and Sept 2001
'The Herbal World of Jekka McVicar' was first broadcast in May 2017

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