Worth its weight in gold

In short, yes: the Victorians did indeed think eating mummified remains pilfered from ancient Egyptian tombs was a good idea, although they did not come up with the idea themselves. The morbid practic

AFRICAN FOLKLORE

Once one of Britain’s most fashionable delicacies, the medlar fell from favour in the 20th century. Fabled and sweetly flavourful, it deserves to make a return to our gardens and kitchens, says Jane Steward

With its ability to rouge cheeks, settle stomachs and operate as Nature’s loo roll, verbascum is as surprisingly useful as it is pretty, discovers Ian Morton

Explore the age-old tradition of carrying a little magic with you…

Niko Dafkos and Paul Firmin are the founders of fragrance company Earl of East. Here, Niko shares the scents that can transform your home life, from creating comforting rituals to bringing the party vibes