What Is Thyme?
Thyme is an herb (dried aerial parts) of some members of the genus Thymus of aromatic perennial evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae and relatives of the oregano genus Origanum. It has over 300 varieties that are in fact edible. Thymus vulgaris most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes.
Different Kinds of Thyme
Here are our top favorites for cooking, surely you’ve used one of this kind:
Lemon Thyme – a perfect herb with beautiful yellowish-green foliage and subtle hints of lemon to its aroma. The taste is much like the common kind but with a lemony twist to it. A good addition to dishes containing fish and seafood, such as Seafood Gumbo and infusing flavor in Brined Salmon.Caraway Thyme – carries along with its beautiful ground covering foliage, the aroma of the caraway seeds.Italian Oregano Thyme – It produces one of the best-flavored oreganos on a 12-inch high plant.Mint Thyme – is a kind that is perfect for ground coverage. Its lilac flowers make it a sight to enjoy while even without the flowers, its minty aroma and green foliage are beautiful as well.Juniper Thyme – has a pungent taste and aroma and is a perfect culinary herb.French Thyme – It is an attractive shrub that has white blooms to flaunt. Its chopped leaves are often added to soups and stews to enhance their flavor. Make use of it with these hearty soups Cajun Corn Shrimp Soup and Instant Pot Oxtail Soup.Orange Balsam Thyme – has an astringent aroma associated with it and is a great herb used in cooking.Thyme Camphor Herb Plant – Its herbaceous flavor makes it a perfect addition to robust meat curries, like this Instant Pot Curry Goat.
Fresh Vs. Dried
How Do I Use Thyme?
Substitutes For Thyme
Fresh Herbs
Oregano Substitute
Oregano hits many of the same earthy, minty, savory, and slightly bitter notes.
Marjoram Substitute
It’s got a woody, minty profile similar to oregano, but with a sweeter and more delicate flavor.
Basil Substitute
Fresh basil is very licoricey and bright. Use half of the amount of fresh basil as you would fresh thyme.
Spice Blends Substitute
A few of these contain powdered aromatics or dried seeds, you may not want to include these in sweet recipes that call for thyme.
Poultry Seasoning – typically contains thyme, nutmeg, thyme, marjoram, black pepper, rosemary, and sage, this spice blend is a natural swap for thyme.Italian Seasoning – a mixture of dried basil, marjoram, thyme, oregano, and rosemary, this ultra-fragrant spice blend is another great choice for a thyme substitute.
Storage
Refrigerate -The best storage method for fresh thyme is to place it in the refrigerator. You should wrap it in a slightly damp paper towel and place it in a resealable plastic bag and keep it for up to a week.Air-tight container – Store dried thyme in a tightly sealed glass container that’s in a dark, cool, and dry place for a year or longer depending on how often the container is opened.For fresh Thyme sprig — snip the end of the thyme’s stem and put it in a glass jar in 1 inch of water. Seal this with a plastic bag.
