Subscribe now

Life

Why herbs evolved to smell and taste so delicious

Humans may have shaped the development of aromatic herbs like lavender and mint, but did herbs also shape our own evolution?

By Penny Sarchet

18 June 2024

What gives culinary herbs like lavender such strong strong scents and tastes?

Shutterstock/Kalina Georgieva

The following is an extract from our nature newsletter Wild Wild Life. Sign up to receive it for free in your inbox every month.

I’ve completely non-dramatically been referring to this spring and summer as slugmageddon. If you’re a gardener in northern Europe, you probably know what I mean – the mild winter and wet spring has led to staggering numbers of slugs and snails. Every morning I dread looking out the window to discover the night’s damage, and you, like me, may now have a…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account