

Dried leek
Leek is a vegetable that belongs to the same family as onions and garlic. The edible part of leek is a bundle of sheets of membrane which is called stem. It is very durable and many species can remain in soil during the winter to be opted as necessary. Dried specimens from archaeological sites in ancient Egypt, as well as wall carvings and drawings, indicate that leek was part of the Egyptian diet of at least second millennium BC onwards. Perhaps it is interesting to note that leek was favorite vegetable of the Emperor Nero, who was consuming it in soup or in oil, believing that it is beneficial for the quality of his voice. It is also one of the national emblems of Wales, which is related to an old legend. In Romania, leek is a symbol Oltenia, historical region in southwestern part of the country.
Dried leek has wide application in the food industry – is a common ingredient of soup, a variety of spices and spice mixtures. Its distinctive, yet mild flavor, perfectly suits to a number of products in which it may not be the dominant component.