Thyme Herb Plant History

Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage. The spread of thyme throughout Europe was thought to be due to the Romans, as they used it to purify their rooms and to “give an aromatic flavour to cheese and liqueurs”. In the European Middle Ages, the herb was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares. In this period, women also often gave knights and warriors gifts that included thyme leaves, as it was believed to bring courage to the bearer. Thyme was also used as incense and placed on coffins during funerals, as it was supposed to assure passage into the next life.^[4] The name of the genus of fish Thymallus, first given to the grayling (T. thymallus, described in the 1758 edition of Systema Naturae by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus), originates from the faint smell of thyme that emanates from the flesh.

How To grow Thyme

Thyme herb plant is another culinary herb that makes bringing fresh flavor to the kitchen an easy process. It thrives in hot conditions, loves full-sun, and doesn’t need constant watering or attention. Plant thyme in both containers and within the garden. I like to plant mine near my rosemary, since their needs are nearly identical. I even let a couple of my thyme plants flower, since the bees love it so much. Like mint, thyme can prove challenging to start from seed.

I’ve found the best results from either propagating from cuttings or by layering. I have purchased only three thyme plants from the garden center, and by means of cuttings, I now have thyme all throughout my garden. Regardless of which propagation method you choose, plant young thyme plants only after the ground temperature reaches 70°F, about 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost.

Preserving And Storing Thyme

Take fresh thyme herb plant leaves (no need to chop) and place them in ice cube trays. Cover them with water and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to freezer bags and use as soup starters or “flavor bombs” in winter stews and roasts. If you’re looking to use whole thyme leaves, just freeze entire stems of thyme in freezer bags. Once frozen, the whole leaves will easily come off the stem.

Thyme Recipes

This simple recipe uses a small list of ingredients – chicken, olive oil, butter, garlic, thyme, lemon, flour and milk. I usually have most of these in my pantry, and don’t worry if you don’t have fresh thyme, although I really love the flavor. Dried thyme works in a jiffy!

Thyme Nutrition

Getting all the vitamins your body needs every day can be challenging. Luckily, thyme is packed with vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin A. If you feel a cold coming on, thyme can help get you back in good health

Other Herb Varieties Worth Checking Out

cilantro

 Boneset