Chervil is sometimes referred to as "gourmet's parsley". It is used to season poultry seafood and young vegetables.
It's popularity in France, where it is added to omelettes, salads and soups is dependant on the flavour which is finer than that of parsley. Iit has a faint taste of liquorice.
The root can be used in soup and stews. It is said to repel slugs.
Chervil is a small, hardy annual herb that has a long cropping period.
It looks like flat leaved parsley, growing to a height of 30cm. Its small light green leaves turn pinkish in hot, sunny weather. This variety has tight curled leaves.
Flavour of chervil is between parsley & anise.
Grows best in cool climates, but does tolerate humid tropical areas. Prefers filtered shade during summer and can survive over winter if kept in full sun.
Soil needs to be rich in compost and well drained. Successive plantings every 2 weeks will ensure continual cropping. Direct sow seeds as does not transplant well.
Cover seeds only lightly, even exposing the seeds to a little sun, keep moist at all times.
Thin seedlings to 25cm apart when 6 cm high.