Olives and Quinces, Apples and Raisins

In the opera, the shepherds bring many gifts for the Night Visitors. Let's look at a few of the gifts (with a little help from internet research).

Olives are grown on small trees and shrubs in the Mediterranean region. The olive fruit is processed to become black or green olives.
Quinces are the yellow, apple-like fruit from a tree grown in the Mediterranean region. Sometimes called “golden apples.” A bowl of quince fruit will freshen an entire room.
Raisins - dried grapes. Not much is known of the origins of dried fruits, but some assume that it originated in Armenia and Persia where dried fruits (notably apricots) are a big part of the culture.
Mint – The mint plant comes originally from the Mediterranean, where it was highly esteemed in ancient times as a symbol of hospitality.
Nutmeg - the kernel of a fruit similar to the apricot. It is ground, and has a strong, warm taste.
Cinnamon - a tree that grows 20-30 feet high. The spice we know as cinnamon comes from the bark of this tree.
Myrtle - a low growing plant whose leaves are used, either fresh or dried, for their aroma.
Laurel leaves - also known as bay leaves, whose bitter, spicy taste is used in cooking. The Greeks and Romans used laurel leaves to make crowns.
Medlars - the fruit of small trees. They resemble small apples, and are relatives of the pear. The fruit have an applesauce-cinnamon flavor.
Mignonette - a small plant now considered a weed in some areas. It is grown for its fragrant flowers.
Citrons come from trees that are pruned to grow only about 20 feet tall. The fruit is yellow-green when ripe, and has a perfumed aroma. It is used to make candied fruit, sometimes in fruitcakes.
Musk- a substance produced by deer, often used as a base for perfume.
Pomegranate- the fruit of a pomegranate tree contains many small pink-red sections with a small seed inside. These sections, sometimes called the “seeds” have a fresh sweet-salty taste.
Goat cheese - cheese made from goat’s milk.
Hazelnut trees bloom in the winter! They produce small nuts that look like acorns. Also called filberts.
Camomile – a low growing plant often used to make tea. Some say it gives strength to plants growing next to it.