Types of Culinary Herbs

The herbs below are a list of botanical herbs used in popular cuisines today. Prime flavorful culinary herbs are harvested from well tended plants while in their leaf phase. Herbs have two phases of growth: the leaf phase and the flower (or reproductive phase).

When plants enter a flowering stage, leaf production slows down or stops. In this stage the leaves on the plant may become woody, bitter, grassy and yellowed. The quality of these leaves are not optimal for cooking. Growers can delay the flowering phase by harvesting often.

Thyme

Thyme

Fresh thyme can usually found during the summer months, but dried thyme is available year round at most grocery stores. Dried thyme should be kept in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to six months.

Fresh garden thyme is an herb that has thin grayish green leaves and a subtle lemon, yet minty aroma and taste. Thyme is used in a wide variety of cuisine, but is most closely associated with French cuisine.

It is often used in soups and sauces, with meat, poultry or fish. It is also a very important component of herbes de Provence and bouquet garni. Fresh thyme has the most flavor used whole, with the stem.

Thyme is included in seasoning blends for poultry and stuffing and also commonly used in fish sauces, chowders, and soups. It goes well with lamb and veal as well as in eggs and croquettes. Thyme if often paired with tomatoes.




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