Thyme is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, especially in the Iberian Peninsula and in Northwest Africa. Common thyme is native to Southern Europe, from Spain to Italy. Thymus zygis is indigenous to Portugal and Spain. Thymus serpyllum and Thymus pulegioides also grow in the wild in all European countries.
Where is thyme imported from?
Import Trends of Top 10 Importers of Thyme
Country | Import % | |
---|---|---|
1 | Global | |
2 | United States | 10.92% |
3 | Saudi Arabia | 6.44% |
Is thyme grown in the US?
Thyme is produced and collected in most European countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, and in the western United States (11.1-128).
Where is thyme most commonly used?
It’s commonly used to season soups, sauces, and braises. It also makes a welcome addition in potatoes, rice dishes, vegetables and even fresh bread. And it pairs well with other Mediterranean herbs like oregano and marjoram, and is used throughout Italian, French, and of course, Mediterranean cooking.
Is thyme French or Italian?
Thyme is widely used in Italian cooking – where it is know as “timo, pronounced “tee-mo” – and even more so in French cuisine.
Where is thyme grown?
All thyme species are nectar sources, but wild thyme covers large areas of droughty, rocky soils in southern Europe (both Greece and Malta are especially famous for wild thyme honey) and North Africa, as well as in similar landscapes in the Berkshire and Catskill Mountains of the northeastern US.
What does thyme taste good with?
Thyme is also used to flavor cheeses, lentils, and even tea. Since thyme pairs so well with eggs, tomatoes, and cheese, it makes an excellent addition to omelets and egg strata. This herb is also an ideal seasoning for poultry; it can be found in a poultry seasoning blends as well as recipes for stuffing.
Is thyme poisonous?
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.
Why is thyme called thyme?
Thyme is the dried leaf from the Thymus vulgaris shrub. The name “thyme” derives from the Greek word thymos which means “to fumigate”. This mostly likely refers to the aroma generated by the burning of thyme as incense in ancient Greek temples. The species name, vulgaris, is Latin for “common” or “widespread”.
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.
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.
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 eat thyme raw?
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.
Who discovered thyme?
In the 11th century, monks of the Benedictine Order brought thyme across the Alps and into Northern Europe. Knights in the Middle Ages bound thyme to their armor to gain strength. Abbess Hildegard von Bingen discovered its valuable medicinal properties.
What cuisine uses thyme?
Thyme is a versatile herb with an earthy flavor. You’ll find it in many major world cuisines, including Mediterranean, French, Middle Eastern, and Italian. Thyme can be used fresh or dried, and works well in soups, roasted vegetables, pasta, sauces, pizzas and more!
Is Spanish thyme same as thyme?
Spanish thyme is quite the opposite to French thyme, it has large, bright-green, serrated-edged leaves almost two inches in diameter, the leaves and stems are quite soft and watery. Spanish thyme grows to shrub-like size, and has a wonderful musky aroma enhanced by lemon.
When did thyme originate?
Thyme has been widely acknowledged as one of the most used herbs since as far back as ancient Egypt, where it was used in part of the embalming process.
Is thyme hard to grow?
Easy to grow, thyme needs little care except for a regular light pruning after the first year. Do this after the last spring frost, so that the plants do not get woody and brittle.
What is another name for thyme?
Thyme Synonyms – WordHippo Thesaurus.
What is another word for thyme?
Thymus | caraway thyme |
---|---|
Thymus pseudolanuginosus | Thymus serpyllum |
Thymus vulgaris |
Can I freeze fresh thyme?
Here’s how: Wash the herbs (still on their branches), dry them thoroughly, strip the leaves from the branches, and put them in labeled plastic zipper-type freezer bags. With herbs such as rosemary and thyme, you don’t even need to strip the leaves from the branches. Press out all the air, seal and freeze.
Is thyme stronger than rosemary?
In brief, rosemary has a stronger flavour than thyme. When substituting rosemary for thyme, it’s important to use slightly less amount than what the recipe calls for. Thus, this is the main difference between thyme and rosemary.
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.