I love thyme...in my garden it lends pretty greenery and soft spicy scents, in my cookery thyme adds a piquant note. But thyme is more than just another pretty face!
1 - Bouquet garni. Thyme is an integral component to the classic French flavoring bundle...and there are many variation.My favorite includes a few springs of thyme and parsley, a sprig of lavender, a bay leaf or two - and maybe a small sprig of rosemary or tarragon, depending on the dish.
2 - Dried thyme retains it flavor better than most herbs - and since fresh thyme does not store well, this is a blessing for cooks everywhere! I dry thyme from my garden during the summer. I regularly snip sprigs and lay them out or hang them up to dry. Once dry, store in a glass jar away from light (in a cupboard will do nicely).
3 - The essential oil made from thyme has antiseptic, microbial, and medicinal properties - properly speaking, it is a "biocide" - it renders pathogens harmless. Before modern antibiotics, oil of thyme was often used to treat woulds to prevent infection.
4 - Creeping thyme (also known as wild thyme) is a very important source of nectar for honeybees in places with rocky soil (and therefore not many other flowers). No wonder Greece (which is famous for its wild thyme) has a cuisine that features this savoury herb!
5 - Thymol (derived from thyme) has been shown to make certain antibiotic-resistant pathogens once-again susceptible to antibiotics. Studies are still on-going to determine which bacteria are most impacted, and if this effect will still work outside the "lab conditions" - but...WOW!
6 - Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine" touted thyme for the relief of respiratory illness as well as for its culinary delights. Thyme tea can be made by steeping a teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves in hot water - or make a "steam bath" by pouring hot water into a large shallow bowl, toss in thyme leaves, and drape a towel over it. Do not get close enough to feel burned, but breathe in the fragrant steam - it relieves congestion and can feel quite soothing as well.
7 - Thyme can kill athlete's foot fungus - it is a strong anti-fungal and a foot-bath of thyme leaves infused in warm water can relieve itching and will kill the actual fungus causing the itchiness.
8 - Thyme is an anti-oxidant and has many immune-boosting components - toss some into your salad!
9 - Cleansing. Thyme has been used for millennia to scent rooms, to clean the air. Dried thyme can be burned or "smudged" as part of a cleansing ritual, fresh thyme can be tied into small bundles and left on the pillows to promote sweet dreams. Fresh thyme and roses were used in Ancient Rome to freshen the air...thyme was felt to promote courage, so it was used as incense, as air fresheners, in baths...you name it!
10 - Cookery. Thyme adds an unmistakable savoury flavor to foods...the Ancient Romans added it to cheeses and to alcoholic beverages, the Ancient Greeks flavored many dishes (and still do!)...the herb is used extensively in the Mediterranean where ancient cultures discovered it - and modern cultures continue the tradition. One of my favorite uses is a simply roasted chicken that has been stuffed with a few cloves of garlic, a few slices of lemon, and a few sprigs each of rosemary and thyme. Simple, elegant, and delicious!
What do you love about thyme?
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