You are invited to leave winter thoughts and events and wildlife watching to come along on a short historical journey devoted to the flower dedicated to January, the supreme flower of the Renaissance.
The carnation's fragrance, delicious odor and beauty led it to be the bloom of adornment. Garlands and crowns were formed of it in times documented before 300 BC.
Joys did not end there. The palate profited.
Popular in Britain, growers introduced their highly cultivated flower petals into "sops in wine," so wine, beer and ales all offered enhanced flavor. Carnations found their way into conserves and candied sauces that embellished lamb or mutton. Think on this: The word "tansie" actually meant sweet omelet colored with pinks. Pinks is just another name for dianthus.
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