Can You Eat Any Thyme?

Common thyme, or Thymus vulgaris, is a small perennial plant, growing no taller than 8 inches. When it is mature, the stems become woody and have tiny leaves that are grayish-green. Pink to lilac flowers are tiny and appear in summer. Both the leaves and the flowers are edible.

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Can you eat all types of thyme?

There are dozens of selections of thyme. The basic difference between them is that some are grown for culinary use and others are used primarily in landscaping. Both types are edible, but creeping thymes are usually small and tedious to harvest and are therefore more valuable as ground covers.

What thyme is not 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. However, some are more popular in cooking than others.

Can thyme be poisonous?

According to their observations, the signs of toxicity during 24 h after consumption of thyme extract were dullness, rapid breathing, contraction of abdominal muscles, and paralysis then death. Toxicity studies on thyme and oregano mainly focused on the thymol and carvacrol.

Can I eat fresh thyme?

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.

Are thyme stems poisonous?

When you have an herb such as thyme, it works great to put whole sprigs in your recipe. When you are cooking the dish some of the leaves may come off bu the stem stays intact and you can simply remove the stems when you are done. Alternatively, you can pluck the leaves and add them to your dish.

Can you use garden thyme for cooking?

It is perfect in many poultry, meat and fish dishes, as well as casseroles and stews, and a main ingredient of Italian dishes and bouquet garnish. Thyme is a highly ornamental and colourful herb that deserves its place in the garden – let alone for its culinary uses.

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.

Which type of thyme is best for cooking?

Dozens of varieties are available, but those interested in the best culinary thymes have only a handful of choices. Those best for flavor, as well as ease of use, are the low-growing, shrubby ones known as English, French, lemon, or winter thyme.

Can you eat lawn thyme?

Imagine! A lawn you can eat! Like most Thymes, the leaves are edible whilst the flowers attract butterflies. Used as an alternative lawn, it can tolerate light traffic.

What does thyme do to the body?

Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects. People commonly use thyme for cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

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 ).

Does thyme make you sleepy?

Did you know that thyme contains an anxiolytic active ingredient that could be beneficial to sleep? Thyme can therefore help anxious people to relax, much like its friend verbena.

Can all herbs be eaten raw?

Herbs can be classed as being either woody herbs, like rosemary and thyme, and soft herbs, like basil, coriander and parsley. Woody herbs are tougher and are generally too powerful to be eaten raw. Instead, they’re usually cooked alongside whatever they’re intended to flavour and are often removed before serving.

Can you eat red thyme?

Red creeping thyme, he says, “has almost-red flowers and is a massive bloomer.” All thymes are edible, though the creeping varieties have such tiny leaves that they are more often used as ornamentals in rock gardens and to edge borders. Planted between flagstones, they waft scent up at each step.

Should you wash fresh thyme?

“It’s important to carefully wash any produce—including fresh herbs—because [it] is handled before being sold, and whether the item is organic or conventional, the growing process leaves deposits on the item,” says Molly Siegler, global culinary and hospitality associate coordinator for Whole Foods.

Can you still eat thyme after it flowers?

And yes, Julie, do eat the thyme flowers: they are perfectly edible and very pretty.

Can you cook with thyme that has flowered?

To eat them, use the flowers as a garnish while they’re still attached to the stem. You can also break them up and sprinkle them over a dish. Thyme flowers add a lemony flavor to dishes, and some culinary applications recommend using them to make a flavored butter.

Can you use thyme after it has flowered?

Harvesting Thyme to Use for Cooking. Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Once the plant begins to flower, the herb begins to lose some of its flavor and potency. The thyme can still be used after it flowers, just expect a milder flavor.

How do you identify a thyme plant?

How to Identify Different Types of Thyme

1. Notice the height of the plant. The low-creeping types of thyme grow 4 to 6 inches high.
2. Observe the leaves for their shape and color.
3. Check the stems and branches.
4. Pick a few leaves and rub them between your fingers.
5. Look for flowers.

What can I do with fresh thyme from my garden?

Thyme (fresh and dried) pairs well with meats of all kinds, chicken, stews, soups, eggs, pastas, vegetables and beans. Fresh thyme is nice with fish and seafood. Think of thyme when you are making lasagna, sautéing or roasting vegetables, roasting chicken, pork, lamb, or beef, and making any sort of potato dish.