Dill
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Anethum L.
Species:	A. graveolens
Binomial name
Anethum graveolens L.

Dill (Anethum graveolens), depending on where it is grown, is either a perennial or annual herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum, though classified by some botanists in a related genus as Peucedanum graveolens (L.) C.B.Clarke.

Growth[link]

Dill grows to 40–60 cm (16–24 in), with slender stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 1 mm (0.039 in) broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 2–9 cm (0.79–3.5 in) diameter. The seeds are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.

Origins and history[link]

Dried dill umbel

Dill originated within an area around the Mediterranean and the South of Russia.^[1][2] Zohary and Hopf remark, "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia." Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of Amenhotep II, they reported the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late Neolithic lakeshore settlements in Switzerland.^[3] Traces have been found in Roman ruins in Great Britain.

In Semitic languages, it is known as shubit. The Talmud requires that tithes shall be paid on the seeds, leaves, and stems of dill.

Etymology[link]

The name "dill" comes from Old English dile, thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word dylle meaning to soothe or lull,^{[citation needed]} the plant having the carminative property of relieving gas.

Uses[link]

Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are used as herbs, mainly in Finland, Sweden, the Baltic, in Russia, and in central Asia.

Like caraway, its fernlike leaves are aromatic and are used to flavor many foods, such as gravlax (cured salmon), borscht and other soups, and pickles (where the dill flower is sometimes used). Dill is best when used fresh, as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, freeze-dried dill leaves preserve their flavor relatively well for a few months.

Dill seed is used as a spice, with a flavor somewhat similar to caraway, but also resembling that of fresh or dried dill weed. Dill seeds were traditionally used to soothe the stomach after meals.^[4] Dill oil can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant.

Dill is the eponymous ingredient in dill pickles: cucumbers preserved in salty brine and/or vinegar.

In Arabic, dill seed, called ain jaradeh (cricket eye), is used as a spice in cold dishes such as fattoush and pickles.

In Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, dill is called shibint and is used mostly in fish dishes.

In Lao cuisine and parts of northern Thailand, dill is known in English as Laotian coriander^[5] and Lao cilantro(Lao: ຜັກຊີ, Thai: ผักชีลาว). In the Lao language, it is called phak see, and in Thai, it is known as phak chee Lao.^[6] In Lao cuisine, the herb is typically used in mok pa (steamed fish in banana leaf) and several coconut milk-based curries that contain fish or prawns.

In Romania dill (mărar) is used on a national scale as an ingredient for soups such as borscht, pickles and other dishes; it is often mixed with salted cheese and used as a filling for the langos. Another popular dish with dill as a base ingredient is the dill sauce.

In Vietnam, the use of dill in cooking is regional, specifically northern Vietnamese cuisine.

In Iran, dill is known as shevid and is sometimes used with rice and called shevid-polo. It is also used in Iranian aash recipes, and is also called sheved in Persian.

In India, dill is known as shepu in Marathi, savaa in Hindi or soa in Punjabi. In Telugu, it is called soya and soya-kura (for herb greens). It is also called sapsige soppu (ಸಪ್ಸಿಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು) in Kannada. In Tamil it is known as sada kuppi(சதகுப்பி). In Malayalam, it is ചതകുപ്പ(chathakuppa )or ശതകുപ്പ(sathakuppa). In Sanskrit, this herb is called shatapushpa. In Gujrati, it is known as hariz. In India, dill is prepared in the manner of yellow moong dal as a main-course dish. It is considered to have very good antigas properties,so it is used as mukhwas, or an after-meal digestive. It is also traditionally given to mothers immediately after childbirth.

In Manipur, dill locally known as pakhon is an essential ingredient of chagem pomba – a traditional Manipuri dish with fermented soybean and rice.

In Serbia, dill is known as mirodjija and is used as an addition to soups, potato salads and French fries.

In Canada, dill is a favourite herb to accompany poached salmon.

In Santa Maria, Azores, dill (endro) is the most important ingredient of the traditional Holy Ghost soup (sopas do Espírito Santo). Dill is found practically anywhere in Santa Maria, and curiously rare in the other Azorean Islands.

In Anglo-Saxon England, as prescribed in Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England (also called Læceboc) (many of whose recipes were borrowed from Greek medicinal texts), dill was used in many medicines, including medicines against jaundice, headache, boils, lack of appetite, stomach problems, nausea, liver problems, and much more.

Cultivation[link]

Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil. The seeds are viable for three to 10 years.^{[citation needed]}.

The seed is harvested by cutting the flower heads off the stalks when the seed is beginning to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left in a warm, dry place for a week. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container.

Companion planting[link]

Dill plants

When used as a companion planting, dill draws in many beneficial insects as the umbrella flower heads go to seed. Fittingly, it makes a good companion plant for cucumbers. It is a poor companion for carrots and tomatoes.^[7]

Aroma profile[link]

• Apiole and Dillapiole^[8][9]
• Carvone^[10][11]
• Myristicin^[11][12]
• Umbelliferone^[11]

Toxicology[link]

• Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus^[10]
• Antimicrobial activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae^[13][14]

This section requires expansion.

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Anethum graveolens

• Indian Spices names
• Plants for a Future: Anethum graveolens
• 'A Modern Herbal' (Grieves, 1931)
• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• GRIN Species Profile
• The Self-Sufficient Gardener Episode 17 My Favorite Herbs - Dill

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Eric Dill (born February 10, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. Dill became famous in the late 2000s as the lead singer of the pop-rock group The Click Five, whose launch was by Jeff Dorenfeld. In 2006, he left the Click Five to focus on his solo music career. After years of preparing his solo career Dill released his first highly anticipated EP, Wherever You Are, on January 10, 2012. In the spring of 2012 Dill plans on releasing an additional EP, War With The Wolves, along with the release of his highly anticipated debut full-length album, Forever is Not Enough,later this year.

Dill has collaborated with Nickelback front man Chad Kroger and American Idol star Chris Daughtry to produce and write Daughtry’s hit single “No Surprise.” Dill received his 1st Platinum Album Award in 2009 for his work on “No Surprise” as well as to two BMI Pop Awards in 2010, for song writing and publishing.

Early life[link]

Dill was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son Greg and Sheryl Dill, who met while students at the West Lafayette campus. His parents own Allied Automation, an industrial distribution and engineering company in Indianapolis, and Dill worked there during summer vacations. His first attempts at a singing career was his first band which he started in high school in 1996 at Brebeuf Jesuit, called Panagia, which played together throughout high school and included friend Joey Zehr, who now is one of Dill’s Click Five band mates. Dill was the lead singer and Zehr was the drummer. Dill was interested in the family business, so he went to Purdue to pursue his education in industrial technology.

As a freshman in Purdue Dill formed another band called Amino, which played at fraternity parties and other campus venues. Dill while in the Amino band also formed The Purdue Independent Musicians group so Amino could rehearse in areas such as the Purdue Memorial Union. The group played at Boiler Gold Rush events and later won the 2002 Purdue Battle of the Bands and was presented a plaque at halftime of the Homecoming game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Dill graduated from Purdue in 2004 with a degree in industrial technology, he didn’t return to Indianapolis to help with his parents’ business as planned.

Entertainment career[link]

2003-2006: The Click Five[link]

Soon after graduating from Purdue University Dill was living in Boston with his new bandmates, The Click Five. The Click Five (often abbreviated as TC5) is an American power pop band from Boston, Massachusetts. The original members, most of them students at Berklee College of Music, started on January 1, 2003 and played in various local venues. They then quickly got the attention of talent scout Wayne Sharp (who had worked with the power pop group 'Candy'). The Click Five made their first recording, a two-song demo session, in early 2004 after successful local touring.” Their debut album, “Greetings from Imrie House,” reached No. 15 on the Billboard in 2005. Their album turned out as that year's highest-charting debut from a new rock group.

They created a music video for 'the Girl’ in summer 2005, and it went up to number nine on MTV’s program Total Request Live. The song became the #1 most-downloaded song on iTunes for over 2 weeks, leading to a RIAA platinum certification as a Digital Single. Their MySpace page hit #1 on the 'Most Viewed Band Page' ranking as well. Greetings From Imrie House gathered positive reviews from About.com, where critic Bill Lamb labeled it "a free fall into the world of irresistible melody and guitar-soaked power chords”, and from Entertainment Weekly, where critic Gary Susman called it "insanely catchy". Rolling Stone also ran a supportive review from Barry Walters, who stated that the "relentlessly catchy" album featured "several hit-worthy tracks”. Critics at USA Today and IGN.com panned the album, the former stating that listeners will be left "craving something more".

The Click Five has appeared on Total Request Live on MTV, The Late Show with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The band spent late 2005 and early 2006 as the opening acts Ashlee Simpson, Ryan Cabrera, Jesse McCartney and the Backstreet Boys. They also performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 2005, singing "Catch Your Wave".

Their look is reminiscent of the Beatles or the Wonders of the 1996 movie That Thing You Do! with shaggy hair and matching suits. Their music, defined as “new-school power pop,” has been compared to that of Cheap Trick or The Cars.

2011–Present: Solo Artist[link]

Dill released his first highly anticipated EP, Wherever You Are, on January 10, 2012. “I’m very focused on my career right now because for the first time ever I’ve got something to show people and sell people and get people involved,” Dill stated. Wherever You Are, features four tracks and incorporates Dill’s unique style, experiences and personal views on the world. Dill stated, “It was a priority to me to get this record done right... If I die tomorrow, I’ve got to have something that speaks to what I love about music.”

The title track illustrates the beauty of romance and always wanting to be with that special someone. When speaking about the single Dill stated, "It is based off of the idea that we are both together and then apart, but wherever you are in the world is where I want to be. It’s just a really intense feeling and great lead song.”

“I Will Come Back For You” off of his debut EP was inspired by a battlefield scene of a fallen comrade. Dill said the theme of the song takes a different route and has a heavier tone with an overlying message of compassion and honor for a fallen soldier expressed through the anguish of a comrade at his side. Dill stated, “We at home can’t understand the raw human courage, emotion and sacrifice of our soldiers on the battlefields around the world while they protect our safety and freedom.”

Dill plans on releasing one more EP, War With The Wolves, later this Spring in anticipation of releasing his debut full-­length album later this year. War With The Wolves will feature four songs and the title track, which evolved with Michael Jackson's thriller video in the back of his mind. "It's a message of hope with a strict disclaimer that reads: you are gonna have to fight for yourself against the monsters of the world."

“Shadows In The Dark” the second single off of War With The Wolves is a deep song for Dill. “I allowed myself to dig into that darker place and I definitely wrote about what I believe is destroying people the world over. Greed is just killing everyone right now, now more than ever-­--with the economic problems plaguing our country by governments and Wall Street’s overreaching investments losing billions of dollars in tax payers’ and investor’s money. Many people have been hurt by the greed of politicians and their cronies and this is reflected in the song.” Later this year Dill will release his debut full-length studio album, Forever Is Not Enough.

Personal life[link]

Other Interests Currently, Dill lives in Los Angeles, California and spends his time focused on his music career from singing, songwriting to playing guitar. In his free time, Dill enjoys working out, playing video games, caring for his dogs and cats, watching anime and spending time with friends and family. Dill is a huge fan of the video game industry and intends to integrate his love for video games into his musical career.

Discography[link]

EPs:

• 2012: Wherever You Are
• Coming Spring 2012: War with the Wolves

Studio albums[link]

• Coming Fall 2012: Forever Is Not Enough
• The Click Five 2005: Greetings from Imrie House

Tours[link]

Headlining

• Ryan Cabrera (2005)
• Jesse McCartney (2005)
• Backstreet Boys (2005)
• Christmas in Washington, DC with President and Mrs. Bush (2005)
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2005)
• Radio City Music Hall, Back Street Boys Tour (2005)
• Madison Square Garden, Z100 Radio Jingle Ball (2005)
• Ashley Simpson North American Tour (2005)
• US Open (2005)
• Singapore & Malaysia Tour (2006)
• Japan, UDO Music Festival (2006)
• McFly Tour, UK (England, Scotland, Ireland & Northern Ireland) (2006)

Filmography[link]

External links[link]

• Eric Dill's Official Website
• http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/taking5/