Costmary. A herb with a strong scent of minty camphor, related to feverfew. It is a bit too powerful to be much use in the kitchen, but can sometimes be substituted for mint. Traditionally it was used to clear and preserve ale during brewing.

Bicarbonate of soda (US: baking soda) is an alkaline powder used to soften water for cooking vegetables which helps them to retain their colour during cooking. It is also a principal ingredient in leavening agents. It gives off carbon dioxide when it comes into contact with an acid, such as lemon, sour milk or cream of tartare, causing it to release bubbles of air into the mixture. It should be added just when you wish the mixture to start rising as the activity starts immediately.

A dried apple, produced by baking certain varieties, such as Norfolk Beefing, Red Biffin or Minshul's Crab. They are made by baking them as slowly as is possible, for as long as 24 hours, removing them 7 or 8 times during the process and pressing them to compact the flesh. Only certain apples can stand up to this, but the resulting flavour is intense, sweet, spiced and complex. These were traditionally given as presents during the winter and at Christmas time in England but have rarely been seen since the 1950s. Once they have endured this process, they may then be stewed in either milk or wine or eaten cold.

Big means large in size. In English now 'big' and 'large' are usually interchangeable. But not always…

A hybrid tomato which won the 1994 All American Selections Award. It has a huge yield of giant, globe-shaped red-skinned, disease-resistant fruits which average 275-450 g (10 oz-1 lb) in weight and have a full flavour with lots of sweet juice. Indeterminate.

An appropriately named variety of tomato as the scarlet fruits of this indeterminate variety can reach 500 gm in weight. They grow well under glass and are good for slicing and stuffing.