There is no food without a field, forest or a garden without human passion, respect and the idea to preserve our past. Perhaps no modern-day Testament without the story of man and temptation over a forbidden fruit.

This past fall we walked in Padua, and visited Orto dei Semplici, better known as “Orto Botanico di Padova”. It is a World Heritage site with its original walls protecting it from thieves. This enclosure has numerous important species from all over the world and has been steadily enriched by countries that participated in trade with Venice.

Consequently, Padua’s culture has had a leading role in the introduction and study of many exotic plants, and their herbarium devoted to the growth of medicinal plants, so-called “simple plants”, is very much a part of it.

When next in Padua make sure to see it….