Thyme is a summer scent that I adore. When you brush your fingers across a plant that has been baking in the sun for hours, it has an amazing scent.
The scent erupts into the air, and what a scent it is: herbal, earthy, green, and slightly medicinal.
When I cook with thyme, I’m transported back to lazy summer days even in the dead of winter.
My recommendation is to grow at least one variety of thyme in your garden if you don’t already have it there. It lends itself to a wide range of meals because of its particular flavor.
Thyme’s usefulness extends well beyond the kitchen, too.
Creeping thyme, lemon thyme, and woolly thyme are just a few of the many types. They’re all compact, and a lot of them grow low to the ground, so they make great ground covers.
Because it tolerates neglect well, this woody tiny plant is an ideal choice for a starting herb gardener. Thyme is tolerant of being over-pruned and under-watered.
There is excellent reason for the popularity of thyme as a culinary herb: it has a distinct flavor and aroma.
Many savory and sweet dishes go well with this simple to grow plant. If you’re making a herbal bouquet to serve with a roasted chicken or soup, this is a must-have ingredient.
Add thyme to lamb and chicken dishes for extra taste. Toss it in with the eggs Add a pinch to the dough for a biscuit or a loaf of bread. Thyme adds a wonderful flavor to cheese preparations. As for soups and stews, without thyme, they wouldn’t taste the same.
Thyme should be added early in the cooking process when using it in a dish. Thyme takes a long time to release its oils, so allow extra time for it to flavor your food.
Thyme is normally measured in teaspoons or sprigs for cooking. There are a variety of definitions for the term “sprig.” After cooking, remove the woody stem because most of the leaves will have fallen off.)
It’s easy to dry thyme, and it stays for a long time when stored airtight.
There are so many ways to put this plant to use besides just dumping its leaves in a container. Find out how to use this plant in your garden in the following paragraphs.
Please keep in mind that the ideas presented here are merely suggestions. You should always consult your doctor before using herbs for therapeutic purposes, whether you’re pregnant, lactating, old, or have a damaged immune system.
1. Herbed Butter
If you’re preparing something, you can simply sprinkle some thyme on it. Although herbs can be used in many different ways to flavor butter, whipping them into it creates something truly amazing.
When it comes to adding herbs to butter, thyme is an excellent choice because it takes so long for the leaves to release their oils.
Using thyme-herbed butter means that you may add a pat at any point in the cooking process and still receive the thyme flavor.
In the case of scrambled eggs, thyme leaves would be useless because they cook so quickly. You’ll, nevertheless, get a superb scrambled egg dish if you cook your eggs in butter infused with thyme.
Make your own butter by whipping up one teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves with a cup of milk. Beat until the butter is light and spreadable and the thyme is evenly distributed. You should keep your thyme butter in the refrigerator and use it within two weeks.
2. Thyme Simple Syrup
A simple syrup made with thyme is one of my favorites. Be amazed at how exquisite its flavor is when paired with sweet meals!
Lemonade with thyme-infused simple syrup is a refreshing drink that is easy to make and easy to drink. Sorbet or homemade popsicles mixed with a touch of liqueur would be delicious.
Fresh blackberries and thyme are an excellent match. Thyme’s earthy and somewhat astringent flavor pairs well with cherries and raspberries.
If you have a batch of this syrup on hand, you’ll be able to discover a variety of new flavor combinations.
3. Thyme-infused Oil or Vinegar
Infusing oil or vinegar with thyme is another excellent way to enhance foods with its flavor. A thyme-infused vinegar can be made with either white or red wine vinegar.
Oils like sunflower seed, canola and grapeseed can be used to flavor cooking oils while infusing.
Add 5 to 10 thyme sprigs, rinsed and dried, to a cup of your preferred oil or vinegar in a jar with a cover. Make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight and in a warm, dark environment. In a week or two, the thyme oil or vinegar will be ready to use.
With proper storage in the refrigerator, vinegars and oils can last up to two months.
4. Tea with Thyme
Tea with thyme? You betcha. Comforting and soothing, it has health benefits that include making coughs more productive, reducing headaches, and improving your attention and clarity of mind.
After a big lunch, your stomach will appreciate a cup of thyme tea. Before you go to bed, have a cup of tea to help you wind down and unwind. When steeped in tea, lemon thyme brings out the best in the flavor.
It’s easy to make your own cup of herbal tea with just two or three freshly harvested sprigs of thyme. Steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
5. Infused Massage or Skin Oil
Carrier oils like jojoba or apricot seed oil can be infused with fresh thyme to create a thyme oil.
Massage the body with the resultant oil for a revitalizing effect. To relieve headaches or improve focus, dab a few drops on your temples. Inhale the aroma and you’ll feel better. Acne-fighting witch hazel can be made by combining a teaspoon with a cup of water. Itchy skin and dandruff can both be alleviated by applying the oil to your scalp prior to shampooing.
Rinse and dry the thyme, then add the thyme to the carrier oil in a ratio of 5 to 10. For two weeks, keep in a sealed jar in a warm and dark place. Shake every now and then. In a clean, sterilized container, pour the oil through a fine mesh strainer. For best results, use within two weeks or store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
6. Congestion Relief
Make your coughs more productive with a steaming facial that expands your airways and helps you breathe.
Fill a basin halfway with boiling water and a handful of fresh thyme sprigs. As you inhale the thyme-scented damp air, wrap a towel around your head and the bowl. As you breathe in the warm air and use the natural expectorant properties of thyme, the mucus in your lungs and head will begin to loosen.
It’s also a good idea to keep a diffuser filled with thyme-infused oil beside your bedside as you sleep.
7. Moth Repellent
Your garments will be moth-free thanks to Thyme’s distinctive aroma.
In order to keep your closet fresh, hang some thyme. Place some sprigs in your dresser for a fresh scent while you’re getting dressed. It can be combined with other pest-repelling herbs to make sachets that will keep your garments free of holes and smell great.
8. Soap with a Thyme Fragrance
Do you have a soap-making hobby? Make a batch of soap using dried thyme and use it to relieve headaches, improve mental clarity, and get a jump start on the day.
Thyme’s antibacterial and antifungal qualities may even help treat skin disorders like acne or dandruff.
9. Natural Mosquito Repellent
Apply thyme leaves on your arms and garments and rub them in gently. Mosquitoes will be deterred by the scent of the crushed leaves, which will release their oils.
10. Natural Pest Control
Plant thyme next to tomatoes and cabbages so that it can act as a pesticide and a fertilizer. Carrot flies, cabbage loopers, and tomato hornworms are all deterred by the strong aroma of this herb.
Using this delicious seasoning in the kitchen will provide a vital companion plant, and you’ll get lots of it.
Any garden that has this helpful plant will be a better place. Moreover, after reading this list, you may conclude that one plant is not enough. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to grow thyme in your yard this year.