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While May Day is still recognized in some areas, its contemporary significance has diminished. In its prime, it was a day filled with merriment, festivities, and the gathering of fresh greens heralding the approach of summer. The tradition of green dishes dates back centuries, and as illustrated in Thomas Dawson’s 1596 text, The Good Housewife's Jewel, people delighted in salads decorated with the season's best offerings.

Dawson’s recipe for a Tudor salad needed no artificial coloring; it highlighted the vivid greens and colorful flowers available in spring. The instructions recommend harvesting various herbs, washing them clean, and mixing them with vegetables like cucumbers or lemons, along with a dressing of vinegar, oil, sugar, and hard-boiled eggs for a satisfying dish.