| The CRYPT Mag |
English Thyme leaves may be small, but they pack a powerful punch. Thyme is one of the savory herbs, which are main course herbs used to flavour hearty meals, bone warming soups, and piquant sauces. They blend their essence with other savory herbs like French Tarragon and Winter Savory to create memorable flavours. Thyme is one of the three traditional herbs used in "Fines Herbes", and is often used in making Bouquet Garni", a little herbal bouquet used when simmering foods. Try this one with Salmon: two sprigs each Tarragon, Parsley, and Dill, and one sprig of Thyme. Thyme has a warming flavor that is perfect with winter thyme treats like Baked Butternut Squash.
English Thyme blooms in spring and attracts early butterflies and many different kinds of beneficial flies and wasps. Its flowers are a favorite of honeybees. Plant in full sun for best flavour. Make sure the soil drains well and is fairly fertile. After Thyme blooms it splays out messily in all directions. To prune, pull its many squirrelly stems up in a ponytail and crop them past the spent blooms (about a third of the way into the leaves) to encourage lush new growth. Leaves can be used fresh any time. To dry a large quantity of Thyme, wait until the plant starts to regrow after pruning. In the early morning, after the dew has dried, cut three or four inch long stem segments and make small bundles tied with string or twist ties. Hang these out of direct light and check often for dryness. How long this will take depends on the moisture in the air. It is very important to make sure the Thyme is completely dry before storing, because improperly dried herbs can mildew and rot. If the herb is crispy when crushed between the fingers, then it is dry. When cooking with dried herbs, always measure out the desired quantity away from the steam of what you are cooking. This avoids introducing moisture into the jar which can cause the herbs to mold or clump together.
Hardy from Zone 5, English Thyme does well in a container. Try a trio of English Thyme, Caraway Thyme, and Lemon Thyme in a Windowsill Planters for a year round taste treat.
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