The list goes on: Red Compact, Lime thyme, Lemon Frost thyme, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea thyme (yes, good for tea), Orange Balsam thyme, Caraway thyme (redolent of caraway), Pink Chintz, or Reiter Creeping thyme.
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.
Can you use fresh thyme in tea?
You can choose to make your tea using fresh leaves or ground thyme powder. You can also use dried thyme, but remember to strain the leaves from your drink to avoid unpleasant textures. For fresh leaves, add several sprigs of thyme to a cup of boiling water and let steep for 5 to 8 minutes.
What are the side effects of drinking thyme tea?
Commonly used for cooking, thyme is considered safe when used in normal food amounts. It also appears to be well-tolerated in dietary supplement forms. However, the overconsumption of thyme may cause upset stomach, cramps, headaches, and dizziness.
Is French or English thyme better?
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.
Is all garden thyme 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.
What types of thyme are edible?
But when it comes to the kitchen, the players are few. There are only about half a dozen considered suitable for cooking. Out of this group, I find four to be most useful: French thyme, lemon thyme, oregano-scented thyme, and caraway thyme. French thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the one that most people know.
Can I drink thyme tea everyday?
While thyme tea is generally safe for most people, like all foods and drinks, it may not be for everyone. Those on blood thinners, for example, should check with their doctors before drinking thyme tea—or avoid it altogether. “Like many other herbs, thyme may slow blood clotting,” Poon says.
What does thyme do for the body?
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with a distinct smell. The flowers, leaves, and oil are commonly used to flavor foods and are also used as medicine. Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects.
Is thyme tea good for lungs?
Thyme helps fight respiratory infections and is a natural expectorant that serves as an antiseptic and helps expulse mucus. It’s also good for soothing coughs and fighting nasal congestion. Prepare it as a tea.
Does thyme tea 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 ).
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.
Is thyme a blood thinner?
Some herbs and spices that contain salicylates (a natural blood thinner) include cayenne pepper, cinnamon, curry powder, dill, ginger, licorice, oregano, paprika, peppermint, thyme and turmeric. Meanwhile there are fruits that can aid in blood thinning.
Is German or English thyme better?
German Thyme has tiny leaves when compared to Common thyme. But the leaves are packed with more aromatic oils than many larger-leaved varieties. English Thyme is a smaller low growing plant with tiny leaves and an intense flavor. Essential in chowders, and delicious sprinkled on potatoes for roasting.
What is the difference between thyme and English thyme?
Each variety bears leaves of slightly different shapes, colors, and flavor. English thyme is a low-growing plant with flat, pointy, green, fragrant foliage. English thyme is also referred to as garden thyme or common thyme. French thyme has upright stems with small, narrow gray-green leaves.
Which is better English thyme or German thyme?
The big difference between each of these Thyme plants is not so much the flavor or the look, but rather the hardiness. There are subtle differences in flavor which is why I like to use the English in my vinegar and the German fresh in cooking.
Should you eat thyme stems?
The stems of thyme are edible but are typically too woody to enjoy. The leaves are really what you are after, but leaving the leaves attached to the stem saves prep time. You can just remove and discard the stem and any attached leaves after cooking.
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.
Can you still use thyme after it flowers?
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.
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.
How do you identify a thyme plant?
How to Identify Different Types of Thyme
- Notice the height of the plant. The low-creeping types of thyme grow 4 to 6 inches high.
- Observe the leaves for their shape and color.
- Check the stems and branches.
- Pick a few leaves and rub them between your fingers.
- Look for flowers.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.