Garrigue

/ɡəˈriːɡ/ noun

Definition

Low, scrubby vegetation found in Mediterranean regions, consisting of tough shrubs, herbs, and aromatic plants adapted to dry conditions.

Etymology

From French 'garrigue,' from Occitan 'garriga,' possibly from Latin 'garrica' or from an earlier Romance root. The term describes the characteristic Mediterranean maquis landscape.

Kelly Says

The garrigue smells incredible—thyme, rosemary, and lavender blooming together—and these hardy plants actually contain more essential oils precisely because the dry climate forces them to concentrate their survival chemicals, which is why Mediterranean cuisines prize these flavors.

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