Thyme (thyme): medicinal properties and contraindications. Thyme is a delicious spice and medicine! Uses of thyme in cooking

The world of spices is extremely diverse and fascinating, each of the seasonings has its own history, unique taste characteristics, aroma and scope. Spices are indispensable in cooking, as they can be used to give dishes new shades, enhance flavors and create real masterpieces from familiar products. Thyme is very popular in professional kitchens, but it is not used as often for cooking at home. It is worth reconsidering the position on this matter - the spice has unique properties that can be successfully used for everyday cooking.

Thyme - what is it?

Thyme is a plant, a perennial shrub, but for most housewives it is of value not as a bush, but as a spice. As a spicy additive, the leaves of the plant are used, located on thin stems. The leaves are small and very hard, have an oblong shape and resemble small leathery plates. This spice is also known under a different name - thyme, mainland or Bogorodskaya grass. The plant has long been considered a symbol of strength and courage; in ancient Greece it was grown in the temples of the goddess Aphrodite.

Aromatic spice, among other things, is also very beneficial for human health. The leaves contain essential oil, resin, mineral and organic salts, flavonoids. Thanks to this component composition, the plant becomes a frequent ingredient in the creation of folk remedies for the treatment of problems of the digestive and respiratory systems.

What does grass taste and smell like?

Common thyme has a strong, pungent odor. The increased saturation of the aroma is in the leaves of the upper parts of the branches, since it is this part that contains the largest amount of essential oil. The leaves are slightly bitter in taste, endowed with a rich spice. The taste and smell of this spice is very specific and refined, not everyone likes thyme, but many people appreciate this uniqueness of characteristics. The peculiarity of the herb is not only in its properties, but also in the ability to enhance the natural taste of the dish, enrich and bring it to perfection.

Types and varieties of thyme for culinary use

In cooking, several varieties of herbs are used: caraway, lemon, ordinary or creeping - each of them has its own characteristics, thanks to which you can emphasize the taste of a particular dish. Common thyme, due to its pronounced spicy taste and aroma, is actively used in combination with a large number of products, where the described effect will be relevant.

A special piquancy can be added with the help of caraway thyme, a very rare variety that perfectly complements meat, chicken and fish. The wild lemon variety has a light citrus flavor that is especially appreciated in the preparation of seafood and desserts.

How to use herbs for cooking

To maximize the extraction of aroma and taste, cooks prefer to use fresh sprigs, but, unfortunately, it is not always easy to get such a product, therefore, in ordinary kitchens, thyme is more often found in dried form, which does not detract from its merits. It is worth noting that the aroma of thyme is revealed very slowly, and for this reason it is recommended to add it to the dish almost at the very beginning of the cooking process. So that the leaves do not lose their properties, they must be stored in a tightly closed dry container in a dark place.

Where can you add seasoning?

Thyme is a diverse spice, with unusual flavor and aroma characteristics, so it is not at all surprising that it is used very widely in cooking. It is used for culinary experiments, including with desserts, which sometimes gives really good results.

Use for cooking meat

Thyme and a piece of fresh meat is the combination that will allow you to get an incredible dish with a minimum of ingredients. Spice can be used in many ways:

• beef steak prepare for frying. At this time, put a frying pan with olive oil and a few sprigs of thyme on the fire. When the oil is hot enough, you can put the meat in the pan, adding a few more crushed garlic cloves. The steak is fried on both sides, adding salt, depending on the desired degree of roasting, from 1 to 4 minutes, after which it is transferred to a plate. Garlic and thyme in this version are not served with meat, they were needed to enrich the oil during frying, and the meat in the process received everything it needed from these spices;
• before cooking chicken in the oven or on the grill, it can be marinated using the following mixture - 50 grams of thyme leaves and 120 g of soft butter (you can add a few more drops of lemon juice). The resulting mixture is rubbed with chicken and sent to the fire.

Add to sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is loved by many both as a separate vegetable dish and as a component of soups and salads. To give it new flavors, they resort to a variety of culinary experiments, for example, adding cranberries, raisins, apples or various spices to the recipe. An interesting spicy version is obtained, for the preparation of which you need to add a “bouquet” of spices to the chopped cabbage: cumin seeds, coriander, allspice, and, of course, thyme. Proportions are selected to taste, depending on the desired intensity and saturation. This recipe for sauerkraut is definitely worth trying - it will be a real discovery in terms of flavor combinations.

Dried and fresh thyme for making tea

All varieties of thyme belong to essential oil herbs, which causes the presence in them of a large number of phenolic compounds and a number of other useful components, which have already been mentioned above. The use of tea based on this herb helps to achieve the following effects:

Making herbal tea is very simple, just pour boiling water over a few branches of a shrub and bring them to a boil over low heat, immediately turning it off after that. By adding honey or sugar to the filtered liquid, you can enjoy a spicy drink. Some go the other way - they add a few leaves to the brewing of regular black tea. Which thyme to use for this - dried or fresh - does not matter, but fresh, to achieve the same taste and aroma, you will need twice as much for the same volume of liquid.

Soup

The spice is also suitable for cooking first courses. Considering the peculiarity of revealing its taste, it is worth adding it at the very beginning of cooking, while boiling the broth. Here it is necessary to mention the Garni bouquet - the main set of herbs used in French cuisine. It is created as follows: a leek leaf is unfolded, a couple of parsley branches, 4 thyme branches and 2 medium bay leaves are put into it, after which the leek is wrapped and carefully tied up. The resulting "tube" is lowered into the broth, and at the end of cooking they are taken out. The composition described is considered classic, but even here you can make your own changes by experimenting with various combinations of herbs and creating your own bouquets.

In salads

This herb is an ingredient in many salads, including the classic Nicoise recipe. The ingredients of the dish include: 200 grams of cherry tomatoes, 6 quail eggs, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, lettuce (about 200 grams), olives, anchovies. The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, a pinch of sugar, mustard, thyme, rosemary, dill, black pepper and salt.

When preparing salads, it is better to use fresh spice leaves. Such a component will fit well into ordinary vegetable compositions, and into warm salads with poultry or fish.

To the fish

A seemingly simple dish may turn out to be more delicious than a complex, multi-component composition. This situation develops because in the presence of a small number of ingredients, each of them is well felt, and the impression of a hash is not created. A rich and pleasant taste has a fried salmon steak, for the preparation of which olive oil and thyme were used during frying. To complete the taste, the finished dish can only be sprinkled with lemon juice.

What goes with thyme spice

When using a new spice for yourself, it is very important to take into account the recommendations regarding the most beneficial combinations. So, thyme can be combined with other herbs, or used as an independent spice for certain products. The most advantageous combinations will be:

• with spices: oregano, bay leaf, parsley, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon and lavender;
• products: cheeses, beans, carrots, chicken, eggplants, different types of fish, lamb, pork, rabbit, potatoes, mushrooms, apples, tomatoes, honey, and pears.

What can be substituted in the recipe

Undoubtedly, thyme is a unique spice, and its complete analogue simply does not exist. However, if the cooking process is in full swing, and your favorite thyme was not at hand, then you can try replacing it with oregano (oregano) or marjoram.

Video recipe chicken with thyme

A full-fledged delicious dinner can be prepared from the simplest products, and spices will help give the dish a unique taste. So, this video shows how to bake a whole chicken with potatoes, using olive oil, garlic, thyme and lemon as a marinade.

In the world of spices, there are many different spices with their own history, unique taste characteristics, aromas and scope. Cooks cannot do without spices: with their help, they give dishes new shades, enhance the taste and create magnificent masterpieces from the usual set of products. Many professionals prefer to add it to dishes, but it is less common in home use. However, many readers want to know where to add thyme seasoning, as well as its taste, properties, and combination with foods. In our article, you can also learn how fresh and dry thyme is used in medicine and cosmetology.

What is thyme?

Thyme also has a second popular name - thyme. In different places, it is also called Bogorodskaya grass, upland pepper, verest, greed, swan, lemon flavor, incense. It is a low growing aromatic shrub or semi-shrub. This is an essential oil plant, consisting of phenolic compounds - thymol, carvacrol and others.

Most housewives appreciate it as a spice. The leaves of the plant, which are located on thin stems, are considered a spicy additive. Small leaves of thyme have a rigid structure, an oblong shape, slightly reminiscent of leather plates. Later in the article you will learn where to add fresh and dry thyme. The seasoning has a pronounced aroma and a bitter spicy taste.

The ancient Greeks grew this plant in the temples of the goddess Aphrodite. They considered it a symbol of courage and strength. And this is no accident. The fragrant spice is also very beneficial for human health. It contains a lot of essential oils, resins, mineral and organic salts, flavonoids. Because of such a rich composition, it is often included in many medicinal folk remedies. Thyme is harvested in Turkey and in European countries - Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece.

Types of thyme

The most common type of thyme is creeping or common thyme. In addition to it, culinary specialists also use lemon and caraway plants. Each of them has its own peculiarity, thanks to which the taste of the dish is favorably emphasized. The pronounced spicy taste of common thyme is combined with many products.

Caraway thyme is considered more rare, but it gives dishes a special piquancy, goes well with meat, chicken and fish. The wild lemon variety has a citrus flavor that is especially suitable for desserts and seafood.

About 170 species of thyme grow in Russia and neighboring countries. The most common types of plants: creeping, flea, Ural, Siberian. Also found Crimean, Dagestan and Kyrgyz. Where is thyme added?

How is thyme used?

Many are interested in knowing not only where thyme can be added, but also in what form. To get the most out of all its taste and aroma, it is better to use fresh twigs. But since this product is not always on store shelves, many people use it in dried form. The advantages of seasoning do not change from this. It takes time to reveal the aroma of thyme, so it is added to the dish at the very beginning of cooking. Dry leaves are stored in glass, tightly closed jars in a dark place. Thyme seed oil is also used in medicine and cosmetology.

Where and how much to add thyme seasoning?

The use of thyme in cooking is very wide. Now we will talk about where to add thyme to food. Often experiments are carried out with this seasoning and it is used even in the preparation of desserts. Here is a list of dishes to which dry and fresh thyme can be added:

Great addition to salads, fish and soups

We have listed above where thyme is added. In addition to the above dishes with thyme, there are also the following:

Tea with thyme

Where else is dried thyme added? It, like fresh thyme, is great for making tea, because it is an essential oil herb with a large amount of phenolic compounds and a number of other components. How does thyme tea work on the body:

Try making thyme tea. Pour boiling water over a few branches of the bush, bring to a boil. Add some honey after cooling and enjoy the spicy drink.

The combination of spices and its replacement with others

With certain products, thyme is used as an independent spice, but it can also be combined with other seasonings: oregano, bay leaf, parsley, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon, lavender. Thyme will be a great addition to cheeses, beans, carrots, eggplant, chicken, rabbit, pork, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, apples, honey, pears.

Thyme is considered a unique seasoning. What if you suddenly did not have a chance to purchase this spice? You can replace it with marjoram or oregano (oregano).

Where is fresh thyme added for medicinal purposes?

In ancient times, thyme was considered a divine herb, returning to a person not only health, but also life. The ancient Greeks sniffed it like tobacco. Thyme herb is rich in essential oils, tannins and bitter substances, gum, flavonoids, mineral and organic salts. It contains many vitamins of groups A, B, C, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, zinc and iron.

Thyme is a good antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antispasmodic, and it also has a slight hypnotic effect. No wonder it is used in traditional medicine. It is suitable for the preparation of decoctions, infusions, baths. It alleviates the condition of bronchitis, removes phlegm, has expectorant properties. It is sometimes used as a sedative and anticonvulsant.

Essential oils are widely used in cosmetology. It is a great helper in strengthening hair and nails, so it is included in shampoos, lotions and balms.

The easiest way to enrich the taste of any, even the simplest food, is to add a pinch of spices. This article will focus on the use of thyme seasoning.

Thyme has been used in cooking in Mediterranean countries since antiquity, where it is often called thyme. In these regions, you can often find it in the wild.

types of thyme

There are four popular types of thyme that are commonly added to food:

1. Ordinary;
2. Caraway;
3. Citric;
4. Creeping.

The nuances of taste and aroma are different for each species. For example, the lemon type of seasoning perfectly complements desserts, pastries and fish dishes, caraway flavors meat and chicken.

You can find both fresh and dried thyme on store shelves. So which one is better to use? Of course, fresh. It contains a maximum of aroma and essential oils that give a special taste to food. Try to add it at the final stages of cooking, and preferably right before serving. Often it is added to fresh vegetable salads.

If you can't find fresh thyme, use dried thyme. Remember that it is better to buy herbs in airtight packages and store no more than a month after opening, otherwise all the flavor will fade. Add dried seasoning at the beginning and middle of cooking so that it has time to add flavor to the food.

Recipes with thyme

Spinach salad with feta cheese

Take:

• fresh cranberries - 150 g;
• feta cheese - 150 g;
• fresh spinach - 200 g;
• walnuts - 80 g;
• basil, thyme - a couple of branches;
• olive oil - 2 table. spoons;
• lemon juice, salt - to taste.

Wash the spinach, basil and thyme and leave to dry on a towel.

Cut the cheese into small cubes of half a centimeter. Grind the nuts in a mortar to a state of large crumbs. Mix olive oil with lemon juice, salt, thyme and basil seasoning leaves.
Divide the spinach into two equal parts, cut. Lay half on the bottom of the salad bowl, sprinkle with half of the cheese and nuts. Pour in the sauce. Fold the rest of the ingredients in the same way, fold in the cranberries and spread out to cover the entire salad.

Can be used as a fresh, dietary snack or addition to a whole meal.

Chicken with thyme

You will need:

• parts of the carcass (legs, thighs, etc.) - 1 kg;
• drain oil. - 180 g;
• fresh thyme - 50 g.

Remove the butter from the refrigerator in advance and leave until a soft consistency is reached. Rinse thyme seasoning and pat dry. Strip the leaves from the stems and add to the butter, stir and coat the chicken with the butter mixture. Place chicken on a baking sheet, wrapped in foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 170 degrees.

Meat with thyme

• olive oil - 4 table. spoons;
• thyme - 3 sprigs;
• steaks - 2 pcs;
• garlic - 3 pcs.

Prepare juicy medium-rare beef steaks. In this recipe, with the help of herbal seasonings and garlic, we will flavor the oil, which will nourish the meat with taste and aroma.

Peel the garlic and crush the cloves with the flat side of a wide knife. Pour the oil into a preheated pan, when it warms up, put the garlic and thyme sprigs. Fry for about a minute, stirring, then add the meat. Fry for five minutes on one side, flip, season with salt and fry for another three minutes. Remove the meat with thyme seasoning and transfer to a plate, let it rest for about fifteen minutes and serve.

To cook chicken fillet or fish steaks, follow the same instructions, changing the time depending on the thickness of the piece and the desired doneness.

Pickling with spices

For many, it is unusual to add something else to cabbage, besides carrots, cranberries or other berries. Try a new recipe next time. To do this, mix seasonings in equal proportions:

1. Cumin (whole);
2. Coriander (whole);
3. fresh thyme;
4. Allspice.

You will get a great salad or a full-fledged side dish if you stew it after sourdough.

Using thyme in soups

French cuisine has a wonderful seasoning to add flavor and aroma to soups. It's called Bouquet Garni. For several centuries, traditional soups have not been without this touch.
Now we will tell you how to prepare such a bouquet in your kitchen.

Bouquet Garni

You will need:

• wide leaf of leek;
• thyme - 4 sprigs;
• parsley - 2 stalks;
• bay leaf - 2 pcs.

Unfold a leek leaf and cut a 7-8 cm long piece from it. Wrap the rest of the spices and herbs inside, wrap and tie tightly with kitchen string.
During cooking, add such a bouquet - seasoning after boiling and remove at the end of cooking.

Since chicken and thyme go so well together, we suggest you make a classic chicken soup. This is a light soup that will appeal to both adults and children.

Soup with Provence herbs

Take:

• chicken carcass parts - 500 g;
• onion - 2 heads;
• carrots - 2 medium;
• tomatoes - 2 pcs;
• zucchini - 1 medium;
• bouquet Garni - 1 piece;
• salt, black pepper.

Cover chicken with water and bring to a boil. Add peeled onions and carrots, cut into large pieces. Cook for forty minutes under the lid. Fifteen minutes before the readiness, add the tomatoes and zucchini, cut into small cubes. Salt to taste.

Thyme with vegetables and mushrooms

Thyme is a seasoning that perfectly complements roasted vegetables and mushrooms. Its aroma stimulates the appetite, enhancing the smells of cooked foods. It is also one of the components of the famous herbes de Provence spice, which is added to fish, meat, potatoes and numerous other products.

In Italian cuisine, one can note such a feature that almost no recipe using mushrooms is complete without seasoning thyme. Here is one of them:

Risotto with mushrooms

Necessary:

• dried porcini mushrooms - 200 g (can be replaced with champignons);
• meat broth - 1 liter;
• rice for risotto - 200 g;
• dry white wine - 100 ml;
• red onion - 2 medium;
• garlic - 3 cloves;
• dried thyme - 1 table. a spoon;
• parmesan - 50 g;
• mascarpone - 50 g;
• salt pepper.

Put dried mushrooms in a bowl and soak in boiling water for half an hour. Do not throw away the water left after soaking, we will still need it. Mushrooms then cut into strips.
Combine the broth and water from under the mushrooms in a saucepan and bring to a boil and leave on the lowest heat without a lid.

Cooking process

At this time, chop the onion and garlic, put in a pan with hot oil and fry for no more than a minute. Put rice in here.
When the rice becomes translucent, add the wine and simmer for another three minutes.

Now you need to gradually pour in and evaporate all the available broth. Just add one ladle at a time to the rice. This process usually takes about half an hour.
At the final stage, when the rice is already cooked. Add the rest of the ingredients: cheeses, mushrooms and spices. Mix everything and cover for 5-10 minutes to let the cheeses melt.

Thyme is a spice that is part of most of the existing spices. Its versatility has made it a permanent fixture in many national dishes. If you like to experiment, try cooking your favorite food with a pinch of thyme.

Thanks

One of the aphorisms of ancient healers says that a doctor has 3 tools - a word, a plant and a knife. In fact, all medicinal plants are a treasure of medicines, as they are part of a huge number of pharmaceuticals and endow them with the necessary therapeutic effect. This article will focus on a plant that has been classified as a divine herb since ancient times. Ancient people believed that it was able to return to a person not only health, but also life. This plant is thyme.

General information

Biological description

Distribution and ecology

Growing and harvesting

Thyme in culture

Historical details and myths

Useful chemical composition

Other components include:

• tannins;
• various acids;
• minerals;
• terpenes;
• useful bitterness;
• gum;
• organic pigments;
• dyes;
• fats;
• vitamins AT and FROM ;
• resins;
• carotene;
• flavonoids.

Use in traditional medicine

Use in homeopathy

Application in the people

Helps to get rid of impotence and prostatitis

• Recipe #1: put in a thermos 3 - 4 tbsp. l. thyme herbs, 1 tbsp. l. mint and the same amount of oregano. Fill the raw material with boiled water and leave to infuse overnight. The resulting infusion should be drunk regularly instead of tea.
• Recipe #2: boil this plant along with any other herbs, filter the broth and add it to the bath. This bath should be taken for at least 30 minutes.
• Recipe #3: pour the grass of the plant with olive oil and leave it to infuse for 30 days. As a result, you will get a kind of oil, which should be rubbed daily into the perineum. This procedure will help strengthen internal energy and have a stimulating effect on biologically active points.

Along with these recipes, it will not be superfluous to eat spices, which are prepared again from this plant. Since it contains zinc, which tends to have a beneficial effect on male sexual function, experts recommend it to all men without exception.

Folk recipes

• For rheumatic pains: grind thyme herb, heat it in a vessel, wrap it in gauze and apply it to painful areas. In the same cases, you can take an aromatic bath. Brew 500 gr. herbs in 4 liters of water and pour the resulting decoction into a bath of water. The same baths should be taken for arthritis and gout.
• With diabetes and allergies: 2 tbsp. l. chopped herbs brew for 60 seconds. in 1 cup boiling water. Then let the broth brew for 60 minutes, filter it and take 0.5 cup 3 times a day after meals.
• For colds: in 1 glass of boiled water, steam for half an hour 1 tbsp. l. dry crushed raw materials. The resulting infusion is filtered and taken orally 2 tbsp. l. three times a day. Such an infusion must be taken along with honey in a ratio of 2: 1 and after meals.
• In the presence of lice ( pediculosis): in 20 gr. shampoo should add 7 drops of plant juice. Lubricate the comb with the resulting product and comb the hair with it.
• For hypertension and anemia: mix the same amount of thyme herb with blueberry shoots. 1 st. l. the resulting mixture of herbs is steamed for 30 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water. Then we filter the infusion and drink it in 2 divided doses after meals.
• With inflammation of the sciatic nerve: 1 tbsp. l. Pour the herbs with 1 cup of boiled water and leave to infuse for 45 minutes. This remedy should be taken orally. Along with it, it is recommended to lubricate the affected area with the juice of this plant, after mixing it with wine and cow's butter.
• With eczema and boils: 200 gr. crushed dried raw materials pour 2 liters of boiling water and leave in a warm place for 120 minutes. Then we filter the infusion and add it to the bath with water, which should be taken from 12 to 14 minutes.
• For pathologies of teeth and gums: 3 tsp. herbs are brewed in 500 ml of water. After 10 minutes, remove the broth from the heat and let it cool. Then we filter and use to rinse the mouth.

Gathering for stomach ailments

cough tea

Contraindications and possible side effects

• Ulcer of the stomach and intestines;
• Liver pathologies;
• Pregnancy period;
• Hypertension;
• Decompensation of cardiac activity.

As for side effects, they can only occur in case of an overdose. Most often, thymol, which is the active component of this plant, provokes the development of increased thyroid function. An increase in blood pressure is also possible.

Thyme honey is a unique natural product!

spice for weight loss

Thyme oil and its benefits

Indications for the use of oil

Permissible oil dosages

Precautionary measures

Cooking recipes

2. Pork Chops with Lemon Thyme Sauce: you will need 2 cloves of garlic, 8 pieces of thin pork fillet chops, 3 tbsp. l. lemon juice, 2 tsp. grated lemon zest, 1 tsp. dried thyme. Also 170 gr. milk, 1.5 tbsp. l. flour, as well as 2 tsp. olive oil. Place the pork on a baking sheet. In a small salad bowl, carefully mix lemon juice with lemon zest, chopped garlic and spice. With the resulting mixture, rub the chops on both sides, cover them and put in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes. Then we shift the chops to a baking sheet, sprinkle them with a small amount of flour, salt and pepper to taste. Heat up a large frying pan and put the chops on it. Fry them for about a minute on each side. Pour milk into the pan, and cook the dish until the sauce becomes thick. Lay the chops on a platter. Beat for 30 seconds the remaining sauce with 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Add salt and pepper, then pour the sauce over the chops and serve them.

14.10.2017

Today we will talk about thyme: what it is and what its benefits are, about the correct use in cooking, contraindications for use, and why many people think that this is the same as thyme. Thyme has a special place in cooking due to its excellent taste and appetizing aroma, but did you know that it is one of the healthiest foods in the world? Nutrients in its composition have unique preventive and therapeutic properties, but in some cases can cause harm to health. Read about all this below.

What is thyme?

Thyme is a spicy herb with long, thin twigs and tiny spear-shaped green leaves, and is used as a condiment that adds a sharp, woody-citrus flavor to dishes and a strong aroma.

When cooking, both leaves and whole stems are used.

It is one of the most versatile herbs. Depending on the specific thyme variety, aromas of lemon, mint, cumin, or even orange can be obtained.

Used in cooking throughout the world, especially in France, Italy and the Mediterranean.

What does thyme look like - photo

general description

Thyme originally grew in southern Europe and the Mediterranean regions.

Botanically, it belongs to the family Lamiaceae, in the genus Thymus.

It is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Africa. It has a thin woody base and square stems with small, light green, slightly curved fragrant leaves.

The plant reaches 15 to 30 cm in height. Small lilac or white colored flowers appear in summer.

Are thyme and thyme the same or are there differences?

There are over 300 varieties of thyme, and many are so closely related in appearance that they are difficult to tell apart and are often confused. In cooking, Thymus vulgaris is the most common - common thyme (or French, fragrant, incense, incense, incense).

Common thyme is mistakenly called thyme, but it is not the same plant.

The name "thyme" refers to another species of Thymus serpyllum - creeping thyme or Bogorodskaya grass.

Creeping thyme can also be used as a seasoning, like other types and varieties:

• lemon-smelling (lemon);
• flea;
• Siberian;
• subarctic;
• Japanese.

How thyme is obtained

The collection of greens (twigs) of thyme is carried out before flowering.

Taste and smell

Thyme has a spicy, woody flavor with hints of citrus and mint. In its warm aroma, hints of pine and mint are felt.

How to choose thyme

Both fresh and dried thyme are available at major grocery stores. Purchase fresh whenever possible, as it outperforms dry in terms of nutrition and flavor.

The leaves of fresh thyme should be light green, with no dark spots or yellowing parts.

How and how much to store thyme

Keep fresh thyme in a plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. So it will retain its properties and aroma for one to two weeks.

Keep dried thyme in a tightly sealed glass container and store in a cool, dark and dry place for up to six months.

Hardy, evergreen thyme is perfect for freezing. If you grow this spice yourself, you can freeze it to enjoy the fresh taste of this spice all year round. How to do it:

1. Arrange the thyme sprigs on a small baking sheet and place in the freezer.
2. Then put the frozen greens in bags and put them in the refrigerator again until completely frozen. Use as needed.

Chemical composition

Thyme is rich in phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for maintaining health.

Nutritional value of fresh thyme (Thymus vulgaris) per 100 g.

Physiological role

Thyme has such a therapeutic effect on the body as:

• antispasmodic;
• carminative;
• antiseptic;
• stimulating;
• tonic;
• painkiller;
• antidepressant;
• disinfectant;
• antivirus.

Health Benefits of Thyme

Thyme contains many active substances that promote health and prevent disease.

It contains thymol, one of the important essential oils, which has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Other volatile oils in thyme include carvacrol, borneol, and geraniol.

This spice contains many flavonoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein, apigenin, naringenin, luteolin and thymonin.

Fresh thyme has one of the highest levels of antioxidants among herbs.

Thyme is literally filled with minerals and vitamins: its leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium and selenium. Potassium is an essential component of cells and body fluids that help control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is important for the formation of red blood cells.

Thyme is also rich in B vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamins A, K, E, C, and folic acid.

Thyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, which is about 27% of the daily recommended intake. It supports GABA, the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Vitamin C helps the human body resist infections and scavenges harmful free radicals.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is essential for maintaining healthy mucous membranes and skin, as well as supporting vision. Consuming natural foods rich in flavonoids, such as vitamin A and beta-carotene, helps protect the body from lung and oral cancer.

Thyme essential oil is often used for aromatic and therapeutic purposes due to its content of the active substance carvacrol.

Contraindications (harm) of thyme

Since thyme contains a large amount of thymol, it cannot be used for medicinal purposes in diseases of the kidneys and heart, ulcers of the duodenum and stomach, especially at the stage of exacerbation.
It is contraindicated in pregnant women, as it can provoke uterine tone.

Children under two years of age should not be given thyme preparations in the treatment of any disease.

Using thyme in small amounts as a spice will not cause harm, except for people who are allergic to it.

The use of thyme in cooking

The aroma of thyme blends beautifully with other herbs, which is why it is present in many spice blends. For example, it combines successfully with rosemary, marjoram, parsley, oregano, and bay leaf.

Thyme is commonly used to flavor meats, fish, soups, stocks, sauces, breads and vegetable dishes, making it a very versatile seasoning. It is also used for cheeses, lentils and even tea.

How much and when to add thyme to dishes

Thyme gives intense flavor to dishes, so it is added in small quantities. Usually, culinary experts advise putting it in at the beginning of cooking, but in case of prolonged heat treatment, it is better to do this in the final stages to prevent the essential oils from evaporating.

Fresh thyme can be used whole with the stem or just the leaves.

• To remove the leaves from a sprig of fresh thyme, simply hold it on top with one hand, pinch the bottom with the other, and run your fingers down the stem. Leaves separate easily. They are so small that they usually do not require grinding.
• If the recipe calls for a "sprig" of thyme, then the leaves and stem should be used together, intact. When you add a whole sprig to soups, stews, or other dishes, the leaves will usually fall off during the cooking process, and the stem can be removed later.

What are thyme used for?

Here are some ideas for adding thyme:

• in potatoes and zucchini;
• in tomatoes and beans;
• for marinating chicken, fish and meat;
• when pickling cucumbers and tomatoes;
• for fried meat and steaks;
• for the preparation of a tea drink;
• in soups and sauces;
• as one of the ingredients of a bouquet garni;
• it pairs well with eggs, tomatoes, and cheese, making it a great addition to omelettes.

Dry thyme (in powder) goes with stews, especially lamb, steaks, rice and pasta, egg and chicken dishes. It is introduced into the composition of the so-called light sauces.

Thyme Tea - Recipe

Thyme tea is a popular health drink. It has many healing properties for people suffering from chronic diseases, respiratory infections, obesity, muscle tension, menstrual cramps, insomnia, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, indigestion and constipation. This is due to the high content of vitamins A and C, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, pyridoxine and other strong antioxidant compounds.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves;
• 2 cups water (filtered);
• 1 teaspoon of honey;
• 1 slice of lemon.

How to cook:

1. Bring the water to a boil and immediately turn off the heat.
2. Add dried thyme leaves and cover.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
4. Pour the tea into a cup, add honey and a slice of lemon (optional) and enjoy! 1-2 cups per day is more than enough.

Despite the health benefits of thyme tea, there are some contraindications to drink that you need to consider before adding this delicious drink to your diet:

• Allergy. As with any herb, it is possible for some people to have allergic reactions to thyme, especially if they already have it to other plants in the Lamiaceae family, including rosemary, mint, and oregano.
• Pregnancy. Most experts say this tea should be avoided during pregnancy as it can stimulate menstruation and lead to early miscarriage. Also, women who are breastfeeding are advised not to drink this powerful herbal drink.
• Heart problems. Studies have shown that people with heart conditions may experience negative side effects if they drink excessive amounts of thyme tea.

Delicious Thyme Potatoes - Recipe

Here is a very simple, but tasty and very fragrant dish, it takes about 45 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 0.5 kg potatoes, washed and peeled;
• salt and pepper to taste;
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese;
• a tablespoon of thyme leaves;
• 25 g vegetable oil.

How to cook:

1. Slice potatoes into 3 cm thick slices.
2. Soak in chilled water to prevent oxidation.
3. Drain the water.
4. Season the sliced ​​potatoes with salt, pepper, thyme and nutmeg.
5. Arrange a layer of chopped potatoes in a greased baking dish.
6. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and thyme.
7. Continue doing the same for 3-4 layers.
8. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and thyme on top.
9. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes at 180C.

How to make garlic and thyme spiced butter - video

How to replace thyme in recipes

There are several herbs that can replace thyme. Try one of these substitutes:

• savory;
• marjoram;
• oregano.

They are closest to the intended flavor. You will need the same amount as in the recipe.

Rosemary - although a relative of thyme, it is not a good substitute as it is spicier and will outshine all other flavors in your dish.

When replacing dried thyme with fresh thyme, use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh thyme called for in the recipe. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves, use 1 teaspoon of dried leaves.

So, you have received information about what thyme is, what determines its medicinal properties, how to buy and store it, what dishes it is used in, and much more. Extremely fragrant and healthy, it deserves to be tasted.