Lemon balm leaf 30 g

Luka Šarić gathers wild oregano on the dry meadows above Lovinac, dries it in a thin layer and leaves it unground. It is sharper than garden oregano.

The Radin family near Buzet dries young rosemary sprigs whole. A whole sprig releases its scent slowly and is easy to lift out of the dish.

Ana Jurić grows this sage near Benkovac and shade-dries it the day she picks it. The flavour is strong, so a dish needs only a few leaves.

Winter savory is sharper than oregano and holds up through a long simmer, so it goes in at the start. The Radin family near Buzet cuts it just before it flowers and dries it in an airy loft.

Dried immortelle holds its scent for months and needs no water. Ana Jurić cuts it on the stony edge of her plot near Benkovac and dries it in small tied bunches.