According to ancient beliefs, it caused premonitions dreams if placed under the pillow, and stimulated ability of foreboding future events. It has been popular as a spice and has been used in culinary for centuries, and its therapeutic properties are proven against digestive problems, arthritis and problems with respiratory tract. In Croatia, it thrives in Istria, Croatian coast and in Dalmatia, where it is produced for the market as a spice.

Blooms between late summer and late autumn, and its flowers are white-green. Leaves on one plant can be in many different shapes. Ivy is extremely therapeutic herb, but its blue-black berries are poisonous to humans. Because it tightly nestles and climbs against everything it comes across, ivy has become a symbol of fidelity and a happy marriage. It is widespread in Dalmatia, especially on islands, where it can be seen on the walls of almost each house.

It was used in production of fabrics for tents, rough carpets, sacks, ropes and ship's ropes, for filling the mattresses, and even today, in some Dalmatian villages, it is used to tie grape vine in the vineyards. Weaver's broom is quite common in Dalmatia, and one of the theories says, that the name of the city of Split originates from the Greek name of this plant (Sparton = rope). Dalmatian legend says that, during its blooming time (late spring), women become more seductive.

Olive-growing is the way of living on the island Bra?, olive is the soul of the island's landscape and everything is subordinated to it. Therefore, it is not surprising that people from Bra? won numerous awards at various international olive oil quality competitions, and that olive oil from Bra? has been included in the World directory of the best extra virgin olive oils for several years in a row.

It is a part of tradition in many cultures in the world. The ancient Romans used to throw almonds on bride and groom at weddings as a fertility symbol, and today candied almonds are traditionally used at weddings in whole Europe, symbolizing fertility, love, good health and happiness. Almond belongs to the nuts, and is closely related to the apricot, peach, cherry and plum. It is known as the healthiest and the most complete nut, and is the best source of vitamin E, which acts like prevention against possible muscle stretching and inflammation before and after training. There are two main varieties of almonds: sweet and bitter. Sweet almonds are eaten raw, fried (caramelised almonds are especially popular in Dalmatia), are added into various dishes, are used as ingredient for cakes, as nougat and as a base for marzipan, but can also be processed for obtaining almond butter, almond oil or almond milk. Bitter almonds are poisonous and inedible, but are cultivated and processed for obtaining the essential almond oil. Almond is rich in nutrients, which is the reason why it was the subject of numerous studies that have identified many of the beneficial effects of its consumption.

It was created by crossing cultivated sweet cherry with wild, sour cherry species. It is rich in vitamin A and anthocyanins. In Croatia, the cherry is cultivated in two production areas: the northern mainland and the Mediterranean area, i.e. Dalmatia. In Dalmatia, an authentic Croatian cherry species is cultivated, a Marasca cherry, which is characterized by a special quality and is one of the most important Croatian gastronomic attractions. Marasca is considered the world's finest and most delicious cherry, which is confirmed by chemical analysis that show how much is Marasca, in it's habitat Dalmatia, superior to any other type of cherry. Wild Marasca entirely disappeared from the northern Dalmatia's forests by the year 1901, and its cultivation is historically limited to the central and northern part of Dalmatia. Marasca is also grown in other countries, but the quality of Dalmatian Marasca surpasses all others. Cultivation of Marasca in Dalmatia is closely related to production of liqueur "Maraschino", which has been produced since the early 16th century, and whose glory is based mostly on a special, complex flavour of the Marasca cherry. The fruit, cherry stone and leaves are all used in industry, and some of the products are liqueur Cherry brandy, various dessert cherry wines, non-alcoholic vitamin syrup (Amarena), canned fruit in a liqueur, cherry flavoured chocolate, compote, jelly and jam.

This fruit was popular in Greek mythology, where it symbolized love and happiness, and the Romans used it for essential oil production. Even today, the quince is not used only in culinary purposes, but also in cosmetics and medicine. Quinces are usually not available in stores, and can rarely be found at marketplaces – they can usually be seen only in private gardens or orchards. When fresh, quinces are so sour and bitter, that cannot be consumed raw, but only boiled or baked. Due to the large amount of pectin in its crust, quinces are cooked and used for the preparation of compotes, jellies, marmalades and fruit mashes. The word "marmalade" derives from the Portuguese word for quince - marmelo. In Spain, the quince is cooked with sugar for production of fruit delicacy membrillo (quince cheese), which is then cooled, cut into slices and served alone as a dessert, or with soft cheeses. Another version of this dessert exists in France, but also here, in Dalmatia.

It thrives best in areas with mild, Mediterranean climate, where it is commercially cultivated with great intensity. It ripens in early summer, before any other summer fruit, and therefore is appreciated in many areas.  Apricot is the fruit with the largest quantity of vitamin A, whose main role is skin protection, mostly from the sun, and which protects eyes and precipitates vision during the night. Apricot seeds are also used in food industry, mostly as a substitute for almond seed. Italian Amaretto liqueur is made of these seeds. Apricot seeds oil has a high quantity of essential fatty acids, and is rich with B vitamins, as well as significant quantity of minerals. All these nutrients are even more concentrated in dried apricots, which are also very useful for anaemic persons, so dried apricots, thanks to their extremely high concentration of iron, are considered as cure against anaemia. Fresh apricots are good for preparing delicious jams, marmalades, compotes, juices and brandy. Apricot jams and marmalades, due to their quality and sophisticated flavour, are often added in the top-quality deserts, usually in combination with chocolate, such as the Sauchertorte. Recipe for Sauchertorte was brought from Vienna to Croatia during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

This plant is the true ornament of underbrush, and the Adriatic winter doesn't stop it from keeping the unripened and ripe fruits at the same time, together with waxy white delicate flowers. This is a unique plant in Croatian climate, whose fruits and flowers grow until Christmas time. Its red ripe fruit is very tasty and contains large amount of vitamin C, thought it is not recommended to consume it in large quantity. Namely, when soft, this fruit contains certain amount of alcohol, so large amounts can easily cause a mild intoxication.

It is cultivated along the entire Adriatic coast. Over the centuries, it was a symbol of health, fertility and rebirth, and had mystical healing attributes, as well as the practical application in decoration. It can be noticed in many Botticelli's and Da Vinci's religious paintings. This fruit has three times larger antioxidant potential than a red wine or green tea. Pomegranate is used for making fruit juices, syrups, compotes, salads, cakes and other dishes, while in Dalmatia it is known for brandy preparation.

It is commonly known that fig lowers cholesterol, and that numerous vitamins and minerals, which fig abounds in, are good against stress, toothache and swelling. It is mainly spread in the Mediterranean, and in Croatia it is cultivated mostly in Istria. In recent years, a fig brandy production has developed on island Bra?. This brandy represents an unique and authentic souvenir of Bra?, where 70 litres of brandy can be produced out of 100 kg of fig. Croatian protected product is Vis "hib" is also worth mentioning – it is a cake made by pressing the dried figs. This cake was prepared even in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, and for two millennia it was an important delicacy in the Mediterranean. Hibs, spiced with coriander, were mentioned by almost all Greek culinary writers and philosophers of taste, and Roman authors dedicated special attention to the preparation of a specialty made of dried figs with aromatic herbs. Looking back through history, it is not surprising that the tradition of preparing hib was retained only on the island of Vis, which was the last stronghold of Hellenic cuisine in its original sense.

It is excellent source of vitamin C and one of those fruits, which equally contribute to our health and our beauty. It also contains dietary fibres, improves the general state of health, and works against cellulite. It requires a hot climate, and in Dalmatia it is mostly grown in Neretva valley. Mandarin is one of the favourite autumn fruits. It can be used fresh, as the basis for fruit salads, pastries and cakes, or it can be used for producing sweets, soft drinks and syrups.

Orange tree can live up to 500 years, and in average it gives fruit during 100 years. Taking into account that only one orange tree, in favourable conditions, can generate up to 1,000 fruits, orange is, with bananas and grapes, considered the most fertile fruit tree in the world. Therefore, it is the most widespread citrus fruit, grown in tropical and subtropical climate. Orange is extremely rich in vitamin C, and contains significant amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium, which protect our health and vitality, so due to many positive effects it is considered the elixir of health. Among other delicacies made of orange, Dalmatian people have the tradition of preparing "arancini" made of orange peel - delicious dessert dish, which has recently become highly sought souvenir.

It is a synonym for vitamin C, because both its juice and zest are rich source of this vitamin. Lemon juice is used for making great refreshing drink, and in culinary is, among other, used as a substitute for vinegar in marinating vegetables, fish, white meat... In Croatia, during the age of the Renaissance, ladies used lemon juice to make their lips redder.

It is full of vitamins, potassium, magnesium and fibre. Besides all these valuable ingredients, kiwi boasts with the highest amount of vitamin C, because no other fruit (with the exception of tropical guava) contains more vitamin C, so consumption of kiwi will provide you with the maximum amount of this valuable vitamin. The amount of vitamin C in kiwi remains almost unchanged even after a month. Kiwi is in Dalmatia most cultivated in the valley of river Neretva. This fruit is a common addition to fruit salads and a base to juices and syrups.

Grape is a fruit commonly used for wine production, but is also directly consumed. Even in ancient times, Greeks, Romans and Phoenicians were growing grapes because of its medicinal characteristics. There are about 130 cultivars of grape vine in Croatia, and black "Plavac mali" is the most important Dalmatian and Croatian wine variety, from which are produced our famous red wines from Pelješac, "Dinga?" and "Postup", the first Croatian wines with protected geographical origin. Besides this one, some of the cultivars grown in Croatia are Riesling, Malvasia, Pošip, Žlahtina and many others.

This juicy and sweet fruit of grainy texture is ideal for people who have adopted a modern and stressful lifestyle. In Dalmatia, pears are used for making high-quality brandy, which is known as the "panacea – a medicine for everything". Natural fruit brandy, known as "viljamovka", which is produced by the sort of pears with the same name (William), is one of the most respected brandies in Croatia. Pears are less used in compotes and jams, although they can be used for making very tasty canned fruit products.

Thanks to its ingredients, apple is one of the healthiest products. Although apples cannot cure any sickness, their daily consumption can prevent many health problems and diseases. Due to the large proportion of carbohydrates, apple supplies the body with energy and prevents fatigue and loss of concentration, so in addition to health benefits, it can keep us in shape. Apple shares its name with the volcanic islet west from Vis, which is the only inhabited island in Dalmatia, and which was in 1958. declared as geological monument of nature.