Profile

Earthy, slightly minty, and with a subtle hint of lemon and sweetness, thyme is an aromatic herb that can add depth and complexity to dishes. This plant can be used fresh or dried and is often seen alongside rosemary to enhance a roast.

Thyme is considered a magnet for wildlife.

What flavours go with thyme?

• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Olive
• Onion
• Orange
• Tomato

The trio of thyme, garlic and onion are just some of the flavours found in our 13th-century herbaceous Arabic blend, Baqa and our 14th-century tomatoey blend Sofrito. Both blends would make a fantastic chicken pie.  

Health Benefits 

Is thyme the remedy for a cold?

If you detect a sniffle and think you have a cold coming on, consider using thyme in tea to prevent it. Thyme is rich in Vitamin C and a good source of Vitamin A, which can help support your immune system. Moreover, thyme may also have potential benefits for mental health. Additionally, thyme is believed to play a pivotal role in protecting against food poisoning. It is often considered suitable for alleviating coughing as well.

Interesting facts

• The burning of thyme in the home was considered to promote good health. Stuffing a pillow with thyme was considered to help protect against nightmares, probably because you couldn't sleep on a pillow of thyme.
• The Greeks associated thyme with courage. Athletes would cover themselves with thyme leaves or thyme oil to give them courage. We prefer that to the direction they took with onions.

Chief flavour profile

Thymol, carvacrol and geraniol are just some of the chemical compositions found in thyme. The vast array of flavour compounds is down to the different species. Bay, nutmeg and nigella are some of the spices that pair well with thyme.