Dried Thyme

Thyme, an aromatic herb known for its distinctive aroma, offers a warm, pungent and/or floral scent, which varies depending on the variety. This olfactory particularity is due to the chemical compounds of linalool, giving a fresh and floral note, and thymol, responsible for the pungent odor.  Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, thyme, also called wild thyme or wild thyme, grows in warm and sunny regions all year round, particularly in the south of France and the Mediterranean basin. The most common variety is common thyme, or Thymus vulgaris L.,but other species such as lemon thyme, wild thyme and officinal thyme are also used. Thyme has a long history, used by the Egyptians for embalming, by the Greeks to give courage, by the Romans to purify the air and even in some sweets.  In cooking, thyme is an essential ingredient, part of the Herbes de Provence alongside marjoram, rosemary, savory and oregano. It enhances a wide range of savory dishes, from meat or poultry stuffings, to vegetables, meat, and fish marinated and cooked in the pan, grill or oven. Thyme can also enhance pizza, pie or bread dough, as well as stews.  In a sweet version, thyme brings a distinctive flavor to fruits such as apricots, peaches, apples and red fruits. It can also flavor honey, cheese or be used to prepare herbal tea.  Thyme is a strong aromatic herb, ideal for use at the start of cooking to fully release its aroma.  In terms of health benefits, thyme has many properties, relieving the symptoms of respiratory disorders, having antiseptic properties for skin inflammations, antifungal properties to stop bacterial proliferation and promote healing of wounds, relaxing effects for combat stress and anxiety, properties to stimulate hair growth and combat alopecia, softening properties for the throat, vocal cords and mouth, and prevention of dental plaque formation.  Among the recipes recommended by the chef to highlight thyme, we find lamb shank confit with thyme and rosemary, mussels marinière with thyme and coriander, and strawberry soup with thyme. Thyme is a versatile aromatic herb that adds flavor to many culinary preparations.