In The Brutal Telling, we meet Jakob, “the Hermit”, a secretive Czech recluse who lived for more than a decade in an isolated log cabin hidden deep in the woods near Three Pines. Jakob lived in a cabin filled to the brim with antique treasures from all over the world – along with window boxes filled with thriving plants.
“A wheelbarrow with some dirt and a shovel stood halfway along the path and at the far end there sat a chair of bent branches, with comfortable and faded cushions. It was inviting and Gamache had an image of the man working in the garden, then resting. Sitting quietly in the chair.” – The Brutal Telling
Some of the plants that the Hermit grew included:
- Nasturtium: Named for the Latin words for Twisted Nose, which may derive from the pungent taste of these edible plants.
- Cilantro: The leaves of Coriander, Cilantro is native to the Mediterranean region and evidence of the plant was found in King Tut’s tomb along with – among other treasures – the pharaoh’s embalmed organs.
- Rosemary: Another native of the Mediterranean Region, Rosemary has been popularized in songs by Simon & Garfunkel and the Grateful Dead.
Cilantro is a divisive herb. Do you like it or do you think it tastes like soap?
40 replies on “The Gardens of Three Pines: The Hermit’s Garden”
Love it!
I like coriander but do NOT like cilantro. They are so different!
The cilantro thing is a genetic trait. My friend says it tastes like soap to her. Luckily, I’m fine with it!
I too cannot stomach the taste of cilantro. My daughter loves it! Don’t know why, but I have read that it is an herb that you either love or hate.
I like cilantro in ceviche but I don’t use it when cooking. I substitute it with parsley. I’ve never had luck growning rosemary, though I do enjoy the fragrance.
I have always loved cilantro, so much so that I think of it a bit like catnip—can’t get enough of it! I envied the Hermit’s beautiful antiques, but not his isolation.
You stumped me.
Which Dead song mentions Rosemary?
If anyone responds, I’m sure I will say ” ooooooohhh, riiiight.”
Thank you.
The song is “Rosemary” which was first recorded on Aoxomoxoa.
which Grateful Dead song mentions Rosemary The Grateful Dead song that mentions Rosemary is simply titled “Rosemary”.Song DetailsAlbum: Released on their 1969 studio album, Aoxomoxoa.Writers: Written by Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Robert Hunter.Lyrical theme: The short, atmospheric track tells a brief story about a woman named Rosemary sitting by a window next to a dying garden.Live rarity: The band rarely played it live, with only one known live performance on December 7, 1968.If you want, I can share:The full lyrics to the songMore about the recording history of the Aoxomoxoa albumLet me know what you would like to explore next!www.dead.netGreatest Stories Ever Told – “Rosemary” | Grateful DeadJun 19, 2014 — Song: Rosemary by Grateful Dead (from Aoxomoxoa album; features filtered vocals; contains only one known live performance on December 7, 1968, at Bellarmine Col…GeniusThe Grateful Dead – Rosemary – remastered Lyrics – GeniusRosemary – remastered Lyrics: Boots were made of leather, a breath of cologne / The mirror was a window, she sat by alone / All around her the garden grew …SongfactsRosemary by Grateful Dead – SongfactsThe song is so short that David Dodd at Dead.net suggests it may have been an intentional fragment. “I think this is one of those songs constructed intentionall…YouTube·Grateful DeadRosemary (1969 Mix) (2019 Remaster) – Grateful Dead – YouTubeJun 6, 2019 — Rosemary (1969 Mix) (2019 Remaster) – YouTube. This content isn’t available. Provided to YouTube by Grateful Dead/Rhino Rosemary (1969 Mix) (2019 Remaster)
I immediately thought of “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”.
Fran
I don’t know if they are dead, but it mentioned in Areyou going to Scar Borough fair?
Parsley dage rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.
Paul Simon
I enjoy cilantro but not coriander (at all). I can’t describe the taste but know when it’s not there. I have a large pot of rosemary in my backyard; I, too, like to run my hand through it gently to get the lovely scent. I know nasturtiums are edible but haven’t used them in a salad myself. Looking forward to the new book!
Interesting that cilantro and coriander from the from same plant but taste so different.
I love nasturtiums, the plant in the garden & flowers in a special salad: they add a nice peppery note. Cilantro I cannot stand! Rosemary is lovely to grow, to take as a gift, to add to a bouquet & of course to use in cooking and on a plate.
Cilantro tastes like soap to me, but I do eat it in foods in which it is well disguised by the other ingredients. I have a largish rosemary bush in my garden, and I love it. It makes purple flowers at times that attract the bees in the area.
Cilantro = soap!
Love that nasturtiums are from the Latin ‘twisted nose’. Every April I enjoy nasturtiums in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as they were her favorite. The gardeners work all winter growing them to about 25 – 30′ in length and hanging them from the 2nd floor to hang down into the courtyard!
I have the gene that makes cilantro taste like soap. I don’t find it divisive, it simply doesn’t have the same taste for me that it does for others.
I can eat cilantro in Mexican dishes, but I don’t enjoy the flavor. I didn’t know why until I read this email. It does taste soapy to me! I am eagerly awaiting the new book—I miss the characters that I have come to love in the Three Pines series.
I love cilantro – both the smell and the taste.
I like cilantro very much but do not enjoy nasturtiums ass food just enjoy their vibrant color.
I find the author’s garden descriptions inspiring and often re-read them! One of my favorite plants is rosemary, which I use for both sweet and savory dishes. A family favorite is rosemary shortbread. And I can’t resist running my hand along a rosemary and smelling the delicious scent it leaves on my hand!
Everything goes better with cilantro!
I really like fresh cilantro in my guacamole but in my Midwest patio herb garden it only lasts 1 – 2 months maximum – except one year out of many it stayed around 4 months or so. Any tips how to keep it around longer?
Cilantro is a cool weather crop. Probably best grown in the spring in the Midwest.
I have lots of cilantro in my garden, and many very tall pine trees behind it..
Reading this, I started wondering why do I dislike cilantro so much? What else do my taste buds say how revolting is this soapy taste? Well, I just remembered that as a child I hated Thrill chewing gum. After checking it’s flavor ingredient I now associate my dislike to rose water that I can’t ingest. Needed you Louise to make me resolve my dilemma! By the way it is an inherited trait.
Interesting. I love Cilantro, but couldn’t stand Thrill gum as a child either. Doubt that I still would!
Love nasturtiums. They are edible! I love cilantro. It tastes “fresh” to me, kind of like cucumbers.
I’ve transitioned from hating the smell of it to ordering extra at Mexican restaurants. Go figure. 🤷♀️
🤣