There are dozens of varieties of thyme, but what’s the best one for cooking? There are French, lemon, English, winter, and perennial varieties that are easy to use, all with aromatic, small leaves. You can buy them at a garden center or buy them online. The key to choosing the right type is understanding the plant’s needs and taste preferences. Here are some of the common ones. While most are cultivated for their use in cooking, many decorative types are used as ornamental plants. At the same time, thyme is a culinary herb.
Lemon thyme is a beautiful ground cover variety with pink flowers and a bright lemony scent. It has narrow, glossy leaves and is suitable for growing in zones four through 11. It is an upright grower and will climb up pathways. Juniper is a popular culinary variety that stays about six inches tall. It is also drought- and heat-tolerant, making it a good choice for warmer climates. There are several cultivars of Thymus, including the widely used culinary varieties. Cooking.
Best Thyme For Cooking
- Eat Well Premium Foods – Thyme, Whole Leaves
- McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves
- James Oregano Spice and Thyme Spice
- French Harvest Blend Sea Salt
Eat Well Premium Foods – Thyme, Whole Leaves
Thyme is an aromatic perennial evergreen herb belonging to the genus Thymus of the mint family, with small leaves that grow on clusters of slender stalks. It is also renowned for its flavor better than most herbs when dried.
To season various meats, Geo Fresh Organic Thyme can be used alone or combined with other common herbs like rosemary, basil, and parsley.
Geo Fresh organic thyme is 100 percent certified organic, Premium Quality herbs that are certified organic and steam-sterilized, free of any artificial preservatives or additions, and packaged in a sanitary manner. It can also be used to provide flavor layers without becoming overpowering. Soups, sauces, and braises are frequently seasoned with it, and it goes well with potatoes, grains, veggies, and even freshly baked bread.
McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves
Showcase of McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves With citrus, minty tones, it has a delicate, earthy, and toasty flavor. There is no MSG added to this Kosher product.
McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves are uniquely sourced for cooks and meticulously picked to ensure optimal quality and performance with great flavor and extra visual interest.
Our 6-ounce quantity complements any operation’s spice and seasoning collection.
Soups, meat and fish entrées and mashed potatoes benefit from McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves.
James Oregano Spice And Thyme Spice
The mix of thyme and oregano comes in a VALUE pack of two 5-ounce bags that may be resealed to maintain freshness and quality with each use.
Leaves of thyme and oregano are herbs used to season various recipes. Salad dressings, oils, meats, fowl, and vegetables can all benefit from them.
In Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, dried thyme and oregano complement each other. Oregano Spice and Thyme Herb are pantry mainstays.
French Harvest Blend Sea Salt
This unique house combination of natural French Grey sea salt, herbs, and garlic will add natural flavor to any dish. This blend of grey sea salt, basil, thyme, marjoram, oregano, sage, garlic, and rosemary has a unique flavor and a wide range of health benefits. It’s traditionally used in spaghetti, marinara sauces, and poultry rub.
Hand-harvested in the Guérande area of France from clay-lined salt ponds. Every transaction includes a free digital copy of our most recent recipe book, featuring more than 29 of our best delectable dishes highlighting our award-winning salts and spices.
Types Of Thyme Variety For Cooking
- Common thyme
- Lemon Thyme
- Caraway Thyme
- Creeping Thyme
1. Common Thyme
Common thyme is an easy plant to grow. Its foliage is bright green with yellow or green edges, and its leaves are very fragrant. Both are good choices for cooking and are suitable for ornamental purposes. While these are great for ornamental purposes, they are not great for cooking. And if you’re looking for an aromatic herb for your home, you’ll want to find one with a pleasant aroma. Common thyme is often used in cooking, while lemon thyme is the most common herb. Its leaves are both aromatic, and the two main differences are their appearance and habit. The latter is a more helpful choice for the kitchen as it doesn’t grow as tall as the former. Its upright habit makes it an ideal plant for containers and other containers. It is drought-tolerant and has a strong citrus flavor.
2. Lemon Thyme
Aside from its culinary uses, thyme is also an excellent choice for planting in your yard. It grows well in containers and is drought tolerant. Although thyme is a perennial plant, it is best planted in full sunlight and well-drained soil. It needs to be covered during winter to protect it from freezing temperatures. And it will not survive in a saturated environment. Fresh lemon thyme is excellent. Lemon thyme leaves should be chopped immediately before using and added towards the end of the cooking process before they lose flavor and color. Lemon thyme can be used to flavor poultry, seafood, vegetables, marinades, stews, soups, sauces, and stuffing, and fresh sprigs make a gorgeous garnish.
3. Caraway Thyme
Caraway thyme is the most popular variety for cooking, but the best herb for thyme is the Jekkas time. It has a strong clover flavor. It’s best used fresh but can be used in many other ways. Alternatively, juniper time is best used to grow an ornamental plant in the winter. Thymus Herba-Barona is a thyme species found in Corsica, Sardinia, and Majorca. It is also known as caraway thyme because it has a strong aroma similar to caraway and can be substituted in any recipe. It can be used in cooking or as a ground cover plant in the garden.
4. Creeping Thyme
Use Creeping Thyme Fresh or dried, as a garnish and to flavor vinegar, herbed butter, teas, meat dishes, salads, and soups. … Some thyme plants make good ground covers, and you can walk on creeping thyme, but you may not want to use plants grown in a pathway for cooking.
Conclusion
The best thyme variety for cooking depends on the type of use. Its flavor is similar to oregano and marjoram, so it’s an excellent choice for savory and sweet dishes. Its odor is similar to garlic’s, and it’s also great in marinades. A few types of thyme are commonly used in the kitchen.
Mother-of-thyme is another popular variety. It bears flowers early summer and is very hardy, but it is not reliably hardy north of Zone 7. Unlike lemon time, it can grow three to five inches tall and is suitable for most landscapes. It can be dried, and the leaves can be used fresh or dried in recipes. They should be separated from the stems and placed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
