For me, thyme has been growing on a special herbal discount for many years. From time to time I dig up the oldest of the bushes. Most often I transfer it to a row of cabbage, which perfectly protects against pests. In its place, I put a young seedling. In this way, I gradually rejuvenate my "plantation".
How to pick thyme?
Thyme, harvested since mid-May, dried in a warm, but shaded and airy place. However, the weather is not always right. This year I keep thyme leaves on a grid, over the kitchen stove.
Preparation of the herb
It takes a little patience to prepare thyme herb for seasoning. I do not dry whole twigs, because then they become stiff, sharp and very brittle, which makes it almost impossible to tear off the leaves themselves. In addition, hard pieces of stems do not look good in the dish. That's why I usually strip the tiny leaves from fresh thyme for drying. I leave some of them whole and use them for sprinkling on meat, sauces or salads. Part is ground in an ordinary coffee grinder, and the resulting powder serves as an excellent addition to, for example, white cheese with radish or chives.
The deadline for collecting thyme for drought is described in various handbooks as "before flowering". Later, the plant loses some of its aroma. Perhaps. However, I do not feel the difference between thyme harvested at the beginning or end of summer. It always tastes the same to me, and at the same time supports the digestion of particularly fatty foods.
He alth and taste properties
Powdered thyme is also one of the ingredients of my herbal mixture, which includes dried sage, mint, tarragon, savory, lovage and parsley. Such a mixture is perfect for sprinkling on fried foods. It replaces pepper and s alt, and most importantly various ready-made spices containing monosodium glutamate or flavor enhancers.
Jadwiga Antonowicz-Osiecka
For throat, stomach and cough
Thyme extracts are part of expectorants, and the oil has fungicidal and bactericidal properties. It is often used in the manufacture of toothpaste. In addition, thyme helps with gastroenteritis and restores appetite.
