Anthriscus cerefolium

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) — a delicate annual herb with lacy leaves and a soft anise-parsley flavour. A classic French fines herbe; best fresh.
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Anthriscus cerefolium — chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium, better known as chervil or French parsley, is a delicate aromatic annual in the carrot family (Apiaceae) and one of the classic fines herbes of French cuisine. Its lacy leaves and subtle anise flavour make it a refined addition to our chervil range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Chervil is thought to be native to the Caucasus and western Asia, and was spread across Europe by the Romans, who valued it both as a seasoning and a tonic herb. By the Middle Ages it had become a fixture of European kitchen gardens, and it remains essential to French cooking, where it joins parsley, chives and tarragon in the celebrated fines herbes blend.

Its name comes from the Greek chairephyllon — from chairein, to rejoice, and phyllon, leaf — the “leaf of rejoicing,” a fitting name for a herb that heralds spring.

Botanical characteristics

Chervil is a slender annual reaching 30–60 cm, with finely cut, fern-like bright green leaves and airy umbels of small white flowers. Its flavour is gentle and fleeting — a soft blend of parsley and anise that is easily lost with cooking, so it is best used fresh and added at the last moment. As a cool-season annual it sits among our annual herbs and, for its fragrance, our aromatic herbs.

Growing Anthriscus cerefolium from seed

Chervil prefers cool conditions and partial shade, and is happiest sown directly where it is to grow, as it dislikes root disturbance and bolts quickly in heat. Sow little and often from spring, keep the soil moist, and harvest young leaves regularly. It is one of the few herbs that positively thrives out of full sun. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover timing and care in full.

Ready to grow chervil? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Chervil · Culinary Herbs · Annual Herbs · Aromatic Herbs · All Herb Seeds

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What is Anthriscus cerefolium?
It is the botanical name for chervil, a delicate annual herb in the carrot family and one of the classic French fines herbes. What does chervil taste like?
It has a gentle, fleeting flavour — a soft blend of parsley and anise that is easily lost in cooking, so it is best added fresh at the last moment. Does chervil need full sun?
No. Chervil prefers cool conditions and partial shade, and tends to bolt quickly in hot, sunny spots. How do I grow chervil from seed?
Sow directly where it is to grow, as it dislikes transplanting. Sow little and often from spring and keep the soil moist.