1st Herb Festival in Ķekava

A grey, overcast day, yet reasonably warm. At the Liiba shopping centre in Ķekava, vendors gathered today offering all manner of country produce. On first arriving at the market, the initial impression didn't suggest that the festival matched its name - there were wood carvings, baskets, linen goods, vegetables, even rabbits. It seemed as though some of the vendors had simply relocated here from Riga's festival embankment. But walking around and looking more carefully, we found several herb and herbal vendors.

The main offering here was herbs grown in Latvia - parsley, dill, and also rosemary, thyme, spear mint, and fragrant peppermint. We bought a whole bouquet of the last for Ls 0.80; this evening we drank fragrant, pale green tea. Rubbing a peppermint leaf between your fingers for a moment, you get a strong and lasting fragrance.

There were many fragrances here - aromatic herbs dried and sewn into beautiful linen sachets to be placed among clothes so they acquire a pleasant scent and repel moths. Especially pleasant were the lavender pouches, additionally embroidered with images of the herb's flowers found inside.

Various teas packaged in attractive little bags. Each vendor knew how to explain the composition, and which teas are best suited for what purpose. Garden owners could add to their plant collection with a potted herb.

From a talkative vendor we bought a packet of juniper flour "Pokainis" for Ls 0.70, which, as the description indicates, is intended for sauna procedures. The medicinal aroma of juniper induces sweating, helps overcome colds, refreshes and strengthens the body. Well - the scent is certainly powerful; it will have to be tried.

Right there, cooks were demonstrating food preparation, generously supplementing dishes with chopped herbs. To take home you could purchase various dried fruits and berries, all manner of sprouted grains, honey, sea buckthorn products, jams, syrups, and the like. At a market, as at a market, you could taste everything before buying. Our taste buds were delighted by rhubarb candied pieces sold by Gundegas farm, of which we also bought 100g for Ls 1. A good and healthy treat for evenings when you want something to nibble while sitting at the TV or computer.

Perhaps we're getting old, but we genuinely enjoy products that lack today's so popular E-numbers and have a natural taste and smell. We stocked up on farmer-made smoked sausages that in flavour recalled those eaten in the countryside in childhood. Perhaps everything can only truly be appreciated through the prism of time!