The diet of the Mediterranean region includes a substantial amount of thyme, and the herb is also often used in the cuisine of France and Italy.
In addition, they may be found in a variety of meals that call for either fresh or dried herbs.
However, its importance can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece and Egypt, where it was used both for medicinal and culinary reasons.
In modern times, it has become a fundamental component of many culinary and medical preparations.
How does thyme smell, and what are some of the finest ways to use it in cooking?
Keep scrolling and you’ll find out the punchline to the joke about why you should stock your kitchen with extra thyme.
Contents
What is Thyme?
If you were asked to identify a herb that not only has nutritional and therapeutic properties but also works very well as a garnish, you may consider using thyme.
It is a perennial plant that grows in the Mediterranean region and is fragrant. It is a member of the mint family and tastes and comes from the same place as oregano.
When fully dried, the dark green leaves take on a rounded shape and take on a brown color.
The species Thymus vulgaris is the only one of the numerous plants that belong to the genus Thymus that is used for culinary reasons.
It adds a gratifying touch to cuisine, particularly meaty dishes and soups, which are very delicious on their own.
In addition to its use in the kitchen, thyme is employed in the production of essential oils, in the preservation of foods, and in the medical treatment of a wide range of conditions.
They are useful medicines for treating a variety of ailments, including stomachache, sore throat, and diarrhea.
According to historical accounts, the ancient Greeks used thyme in the embalming process, as well as in the production of incense and scented bath products.
But this wasn’t done for no cause; they thought that it helped them keep a clear head and gave them the confidence they needed.
The antibacterial and antifungal effects of thyme have been shown by study, which corroborates the efficacy of the traditional treatments.
There is also a beautiful kind of thyme, which may be used to create decorations that are both affordable and good for your health.
What Does Thyme Taste Like?
The flavor of thyme is similar to that of mint with a hint of lemon.
It has a complex flavor that is described as tasting like a combination of citrus and mint, woodsy and flowery, pepper and sweet, and so on.
The taste is never overpowering, even when it ranges from one extreme to the other or somewhere in between.
It has a scent that is slightly woodsy and spicy, and if you keep some of it in your kitchen, the area will be filled with the crispness that it exudes.
Oregano has a more powerful earthy flavor and less tanginess than thyme does, so you could even discover that the two herbs have a flavor that is quite comparable to one another.
Both of these herbs have their own distinct applications, however you may find that you utilize them interchangeably at times.
The difference between fresh and dried produce is significant.
Thyme that has been properly dried has a stronger taste than fresh thyme, so you won’t need as much fresh thyme to season your cuisine if you use dried thyme instead.
This is due to the fact that the drying process causes the taste to become more concentrated.
Is it better to consume dried thyme or fresh thyme? The answer to this question is dependent on a number of factors, including the availability of the items in question as well as the functions for which you need them.
To get the same level of taste as the dried thyme, you will need to increase the amount of fresh thyme that you use.
In order for you to use them whenever you need some herbaceous garnishes for the purpose of adding aesthetic appeal.
You’ll discover that the most common uses for English and French thyme, two of the numerous edible varieties of thyme, are in meat and poultry dishes.
These are versatile enough to serve almost any need in the kitchen.
Turkish thyme are the ones that specialize in aromatics; in addition to having the traditional taste of garden thyme, they also have a lemony twist to their flavor profile and are regarded as the best.
How to Cook with Thyme?
Thyme goes well with robustly flavored savory foods that leave a lasting impression on the mouth.
The addition of thyme imparts a flavor that is at once sweet, sour, and invigorating, which makes the dish more pleasant to eat.
The following are some of the ways thyme may be used in the kitchen:
- Wrap it between meat: If you want more than simply aromatics in your meaty recipes, consider inserting sprigs of thyme between layers of meat and allowing them to simmer for the whole duration of the dish. Because the tastes in the herb will permeate all layers of the meat as the cooking process continues, you will end up with a meal that is infused with the herb.
- Bouquet garni: When it comes to cooking stews and soups, the French technique of bouquet garni is one of the most helpful methods. You should only use it when you need the taste and not the actual herb itself in the meal you are preparing.
- Bloom dry thyme in oil: Sometimes you could desire a particularly strong taste from the herbs, or you might just have less of them left than you need. When you want to improve the taste of dried herbs by using them more than once, you may “bloom” them by putting them to boiling oil. Once they have the aroma of toast, they are ready to be used.
When using thyme in a recipe, fresh leaves should be used in the dish at the beginning of the preparation process.
This allows their taste to develop over a longer period of time.
Dried ones, on the other hand, may be added at any phase of the procedure.
How to Buy Thyme?
When you are purchasing thyme, you want to be sure that you get the most taste out of it and that it can be stored well.
With these helpful hints, shopping for groceries or spices will no longer be a chore for you.
- Get fresh and dried thyme: When you are cooking recipes that call for a garnish, you will need to use the fresh ones. You may produce fresh thyme sprigs that will survive for a week or two if you store them in the appropriate manner. The dried versions are more handy and may be kept for a longer period of time.
- Check the color of the leaves: When purchasing fresh thyme, it is important to make sure that the leaves are vivid, regardless of the color. They should not have any damage and should still be linked to the stem.
- Look for any signs of mold: When you buy thyme, it should be dry and have a good amount of vigor. In the event that they are not, check to see whether the stems have any spots of black or white mold. Additionally, stems that are rigid and woody are inferior to those that are soft and supple.
- Buy one in a glass container with a shaker top: If you store your herbs in glass containers rather than plastic ones, you may be certain that they are uncontaminated with chemicals and microplastics. In addition, the shaker top makes it simple to use; there is no danger of inadvertently applying an excessive amount of the ingredient.
FAQs
What does thyme go well with?
Both fresh and dried thyme are delicious complements to a wide variety of meats, as well as poultry, stews, soups, eggs, pastas, vegetables, and beans. When paired with fish and shellfish, fresh thyme is a delicious herb to use. Consider using thyme while you are preparing dishes like as lasagna, roasting vegetables, roasting meats such as chicken, hog, lamb, or beef, and preparing any kind of meal using potatoes.
What does thyme add to a recipe?
The use of thyme allows for additional levels of flavor to be added without becoming overpowering. It is most often used as a seasoning for stews, braises, and soups. Additionally, potatoes, rice dishes, veggies, and even freshly baked bread all benefit from having this ingredient included.
Does thyme actually add flavor?
The addition of thyme to your food adds an additional dimension of taste without dominating it. Thyme is most often used in the preparation of chicken meals that are baked, roasted, or braised; nevertheless, it is equally delicious when combined with other types of meat such as beef, hog, and lamb.
Is thyme good with meat?
The use of thyme with beef is an age-old tradition since the two flavors complement each other so well. In beef meals of any kind, including stews and casseroles, adding thyme, either fresh or dried, helps to smooth out the flavors and adds a hint of depth. Thyme may be used in either its fresh or dry form. On beef dishes like steak or roast beef, thyme also makes a delicious rub or herb crust.
Is thyme nice on steak?
While the steak is cooking, basting it with butter that has been flavored with garlic and thyme will add both flavor and elegance to the meat. Cooking it will make you feel like a complete expert, and the end result will be on par with that of the finest steakhouse in the area.
Is thyme sweet or savory?
If you need to imitate the taste of anything savory, you may substitute one of these more popular herbs for it: 1. Thyme is the herb that most nearly resembles the flavor of savory. It has a flavor that is somewhat minty and is rather aromatic.
Why do Italians use thyme?
In many Italian cuisines, oregano is one of the numerous fresh herbs that are employed. The taste of thyme, which has an aromatic quality, goes well with Southern Italian sauces made of spicy peppers and eggplants. Additionally, thyme is an essential herb for making soups and stews.
Is thyme spicy hot?
Although thyme is not often considered to be a spicy herb, this particular variety certainly is. You might use it in place of normal thyme. The “little dragon” plant that burns your tongue with licorice flavor is an excellent addition to a wide variety of dishes. Even while it does keep some of its taste when dried, our favorite way to eat it is fresh.
Final Thought
Thyme has a robust taste, may be used to create aesthetically beautiful garnishes, has fragrant features, and is an excellent herb for drying. It is one of the numerous herbs that can be used during cooking.
When you are in need of a colorful garnish, you won’t have to worry about not being able to obtain any fresh ones since they are a perennial plant.
Be careful to purchase them while they are still in excellent shape and free of mold.
And if you use the right techniques, you may dry them to keep them fresh for your convenience in the future.
When it comes to always having some thyme on hand, you can never say no. And yes, you do need more thyme in the kitchen as well as more time to cook a delectable dish with it.
