Seven Best Herbs

Full of aroma and flavor shades, herbs are rightfully considered chef’s principal assistants that can please any kinds of palates. There is a saying, “the success of cooking delicious meals depends on the flavoring and use of herbs, mixing the right herbs with the right dishes makes chefs great.” We will tell you about the most common herbs used in all cuisines worldwide.

Basil

A popular herb with a soft and sweet flavor. Its name is translated as ‘the king’ from Greek. It rightfully bears this title and many culinary experts consider it a royal herb. It is mainly used for its flavor. While fresh basil adds flavor to the dish, its dried leaves contribute to the flavor filling.

Health benefits:

• Helps control blood pressure
• Improves oxygen circulation in the blood
• Rich source of antioxidants

Perfect in: Pesto, basil tea, tomato soups, pastas, fruit salads, and pizzas.

Parsley

Another herb that gets its name from the Greek language, parsley is used mainly for garnishing than flavoring. Parsley is usually added a minute before serving meals.

Curly parsley is less flavorful and bitter, it is a popular ingredient in salads and soups.

Italian (or flat-leaf) parsley is very flavorful and is used during the entire cooking process, as it retains its aromatic properties.

Health benefits:

• Is a good mouth freshener and helps fight the smell of garlic and onions
• Boosts immunity
• Excellent source of vitamins A and C

Perfect in: Potato dishes, meat and vegetable soups, grilled dishes.

Thyme

It has a strong, tart taste, which is gradually revealed in dishes, which is why it is added along with all the ingredients. It is widely used in stewed and baked dishes, as well as salads and soups. Both fresh and dry, it is widely used in any cuisine. It is a perfect choice for meat and fish marinades.

There are more than 60 thyme varieties, but there are three most common types used in the cuisines of Italy, France, India, Spain, Greece, and Turkey.

Garden thyme is the most common herb that resembles lemon thyme.

Lemon thyme is similar to garden thyme, but it has lemon notes and is therefore a good choice for fish dishes.

Orange thyme has the aroma of orange peel and adds a perfectly touch to cooked meat, fried vegetables, and even teas.

Health benefits:

•  A good antiseptic. When boiled with water or tea, it helps treat throat infections.
• Excellent source of fiber.

Perfect in: Good with chicken, fish, and potatoes.

Rosemary

A fragrant, woody herb with needle-like leaves. It has a bitter, slightly lemony or coniferous taste, and is widely used in international cuisines. It is also good as a flavoring agent for soups, meat dishes (especially lamb), vegetable dishes, and even fruit salads. Rosemary leaves are finely chopped before being added to dishes or mixed with other spices.

Health benefits:

• Uplifts the mood thanks to the fresh coniferous flavor
• Natural remedy for migraines
• Antibacterial and antioxidant action helps fight infections and boost immunity

 

Sage

The word ‘sage’ comes from the Latin “to save”. This herb quite rightly bears this name, because in addition to its wide use as a culinary herb, it has strong healing properties. Only sage leaves are used, which have a peculiar bitter spicy-astringent taste. Fresh leaves have rather strong aroma. They are added in small quantities, so as to preserve other flavors and tastes. Italy is considered the main consumer of sage. In the national cuisine, fresh and dried sage is added to poultry, rabbit and meat dishes. There are especially many recipes for cooking veal with sage, which in itself is quite tasteless, and in conjunction with spices, the meat gets an unusual taste.

Health benefits:

• Aids in digestion
• Recommended for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Mint

It is one of the most common and frequently used herbs worldwide. Fresh, fragrant, juicy leaves can be stored for a very long time. Menthol is the main ingredient, which gives it a characteristic aroma and taste. Mint is the most flexible flavoring agent among herbs. Mint leaves are used in all types of dishes—in appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and drinks! It can be added to soups, salads, lemonades, smoothies, sweets, chocolate, tea and much more. It is also a perfect garnish.

Health benefits:

• It has a soothing effect and is used to treat stomach ache
• Mint tea promotes the elimination of toxins
• Chewing mint leaves whiten teeth and makes your breath fresh

Dill

One of the world’s most popular spices, with a sweet pleasant taste and a delicate specific flavor. Fresh and dried herbs, as well as seeds are used in cooking. Fresh greens are added to salads, soups, second courses of meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, and gravies. Dill is widely used in pickling vegetables and food products intended for long-term storage.

Health benefits:

• Has a diuretic effect
• Essential oils stimulate the release of digestive juice