Mediterranean cuisine as "conditioned naturally by variations in climate and soil and the relative industry or indolence of the inhabitants." David identifies "the ever recurring elements" in the food of this extensive region as olive oil, saffron, garlic, "pungent" local wines, as well as the "aromatic perfume" of herbs, especially rosemary, wild marjoram, and basil, and the bright colours of fresh foods in the markets, "pimentos, aubergines, tomatoes, olives, melons, figs" and "shiny fish, silver, vermilion, or tiger-striped". She includes cheeses of "sheep's or goat's milk", "figs from Smyrna on long strings" and "sheets of apricot paste which is dissolved in water
Herb Bermann Herb Bermann Herb Bermann is an American lyricist, screenwriter, and actor. He is best known for co-writing the 1967 debut album "Safe as Milk" for Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band. The second album "Strictly Personal" featured four of Bermann's songs, however he was uncredited: "Safe As Milk", "Trust Us," "Gimme Dat Harp Boy," and "Kandy Korn" A screenplay he co-wrote with Dean Stockwell became the inspiration for Neil Young's 1970 album "After the Gold Rush". A book featuring his known and previously unpublished lyrics, "The Mystery Man from the Magic Band", was published in 2015 by Brass Tacks Press.