There are over 300 thyme varieties in the mint family of Lamiaceae, of which thyme is a member. All have been prized for centuries for their fragrance, flavor, and ornamental habit. With this dizzying array of thyme varieties, there is a possible specimen for nearly every climate and landscape.
How many different types of thyme are there?
ThymesLower classifications
What is the best variety of thyme?
Top 10 Thyme Varieties
- Creeping Pink Thyme.
- Elfin Thyme.
- Juniper Thyme.
- Lavender Thyme.
- Italian Oregano Thyme.
- Silver Thyme.
- Caraway Thyme.
- Pennsylvania Dutch Tea Thyme. As its name suggests, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea is perfect (fresh or dried) for tea-brewing, and can be substituted for any recipe calling for English thyme.
What kind of thyme is used for cooking?
Common thyme and lemon thyme are the varieties most often used in cooking. Lemon thyme looks similar to common thyme but offers a distinctive lemon aroma and flavor. You may also encounter woolly thyme, creeping thyme, wild thyme, and elfin thyme—all of which are better suited for rock garden filler than culinary use.
What is the difference between thyme and French thyme?
French thyme is a variety of English thyme that has narrower, grey-green leaves and a slightly sweeter flavor. It is often preferred by chefs, and is excellent for seasoning meat, fish, soup, and vegetables. Just remember that its English counterpart is not only more robust, but has better cold tolerance.
Are all thyme varieties edible?
All thymes (and there are over 350 species in the genus Thymus) are edible and this includes varieties usually thought of as ornamental or medicinal.
What type of thyme is most common?
While there are a plethora of thyme varieties, here is a list of some of the most common:
- Common thyme (T. vulgaris) – Common thyme has a prostrate form with yellow and variegated foliage available; used in cooking.
- Lemon thyme (T. x.
- Woolly thyme (T.
- Creeping thyme (T.
- Wild thyme (T.
- Elfin thyme (T.
What’s the difference between English thyme and German thyme?
French thyme is also called summer thyme and it offers a flavor that is slightly subtler than that of English thyme. German thyme has smaller, slightly rounded leaves than the other varieties, but the foliage is packed with lots of flavor. German thyme is also called winter thyme because it is very cold hardy thymes.
What is the difference between thyme and wild thyme?
—Medicinal Action and Uses—In medicine, Wild Thyme or Serpolet has the same properties as Common Thyme, but to an inferior degree. It is aromatic, antiseptic, stimulant, antispasmodic, diuretic and emmenagogue.
What is the hardiest thyme?
Thymus coccineus, the red creeping thyme, is probably one of the most well known of all the thymes. Magenta coloured blooms hover over a delicate very low-growing and well behaved but extremely tough plant. Excellent for a thyme lawn or planted among stone pavers or flagstones.
Is fresh thyme better than dried?
While you can use fresh herbs, after cooking them for 10 minutes or longer, the natural oils that make the herbs taste fresh are released. This means that even if fresh herbs are used, they will have the same impact as dried ones. In stovetop recipes, dried herbs generally work the same, or better than fresh herbs.
Is dried thyme the same as thyme leaves?
Dried thyme is whole dried thyme leaves. There are over a hundred varieties of thyme, including ones with the scent or flavor of lemon, orange, caraway or mint. Drying is an easy way to preserve thyme.
What foods go well with thyme?
Thyme Savory beans, cabbage, carrots, chicken, corn, eggplant, fish, lamb, meats, onions, potatoes, soups, stews, tomatoes, winter vegetables basil, garlic, lavender, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, rosemary Fresh leaves will keep for up to a week stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Does thyme raise blood pressure?
Thyme is a flavorful herb packed with numerous healthy compounds. Rosmarinic acid is one such compound. Research has linked it to many benefits, such as reduced inflammation and blood sugar levels, as well as increased blood flow. It may also help reduce blood pressure ( 25 , 26 ).
Will thyme come back every year?
A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.
Can you eat raw thyme?
Can you eat raw thyme leaves? Thyme (thymus vulgaris) is an herb that can be consumed fresh or dried. Like other herbs and spices, it’s packed with disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. The easiest way to make this common herb a part of your regular diet to make sure you keep some dried thyme in your kitchen.
Is it OK to eat thyme stems?
Cooking With Fresh Thyme
Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a “sprig” of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact.
Should I let thyme flower?
Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.
What does thyme do for the body?
Thyme also contains a variety of minerals and vitamins that promote good health. Thyme is full of vitamin C for immune support, potassium for healthy cells, and manganese for bone development and blood clotting.
How long do thyme plants live?
Thyme is a perennial herb that often only lives for 5 or 6 years even with good care. After 3 years thyme plants growth tends to slow down and produce less leaves with a weak aroma and inferior flavour compared to younger thyme plants.
Does thyme spread easily?
Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next. In between the leaves is a stem segment. Some thymes produce sets of leaves very close together while others are spaced further apart. Stem segments grow faster without having to produce tightly knit sets of leaves.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.