Herbs of any form (freshly plucked, dried, preserved) have the enchanting qualities of transforming a dish from usual to extraordinary without relying on processed seasoning.
A lot of people today use different types of culinary herbs to upgrade their cooking, and it has never disappointed.
The use of herbs in food is to give it a full flavor and a rich fragrance. The right use of seasoning and flavoring in food is what makes a good cook; without it, your meals are incomplete.
There are over a hundred herbs across the world, and we understand that there are different cooking patterns.
This blog post will help you find the right herbs that will complement your dishes.
Today, we will be discussing the different types of culinary herbs and their benefits to your health.
In this section, we will be listing and discussing the different types of herbs used in cooking. We hope you get to test them and find the best herbs that suit your taste.
Different Types of Culinary Herbs
1. Basil
This herb is popular and versatile, known for its sweet and soft flavor. Basin is commonly called a “royal herb” because of the aroma it gives to a dish.
The freshly plucked leaves contribute mostly to the scent, while the dried ones add to the taste of the food.
Basil is commonly used in international kitchens and is mostly found in Africa and Asia.
The essential oils found in basil are eugenol, linalool, and citronellol. It is one of the different types of culinary herbs you can get today.
Basil comes in four different types: Thai basil, holy basil, sweet basil, and lemon basil.
These types of basil serve different purposes in cooking, but they all provide amazing flavor and fragrance to your dishes.
Basil herb is popularly known to have numerous health benefits, including relieving anxiety and depression, managing and controlling blood levels, reducing the risks of memory loss in adults, producing strong antioxidants, helping to regulate the flow of blood in the body system
2. Parsley
Among the different culinary herbs used in cooking, we have parsley, which is mildly bitter.
This herb is mainly used to beautify foods rather than season them. This herb is a big part of what makes dishes smell good and make your mouth water.
Parsley can be used when freshly picked and when dried. Both serve different functions but give amazing results.
Parsley herbs are in different types: Flat-leaf parsley preserves food flavor.
As a cook with this herb, you can be sure that people will enjoy the food’s flavor until it finishes.
Curly leaf parsley is popularly used for beautifying food; it is bitter in taste and low in fragrances.
Parsley herbs have long been known to have numerous health benefits, including helping to control and manage blood pressure, fasten digestion, and produce antioxidants that build strong immune systems.
3. Thyme
Thyme is one of the different types of herbs we have in culinary use. It is a classic herb available in different types.
Thyme is known for the powerful flavor that it releases in food, and it is commonly used among chefs and cooks.
Thyme can be used freshly plucked or in dried form, both serve as strong aroma-making agents. It’s used alongside other ingredients to make mouth-watering dishes.
There are different types of thyme, but today we are listing the 3 major ones.
Garden thyme is the most common type of thyme that can be found in our various markets today.
Lemon thyme has a strong, lemony aroma and works best with fishy dishes.
Lastly, orange thyme has an orange peel flavor, it is an amazing flavoring agent for roasted meat.
Thyme is popularly known and accepted for its amazing health benefit, which includes reducing blood pressure and fighting acne, coughing, sore throat, and yeast infections.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the different types of culinary herbs that we have, this herb is used in garnishing foods.
It is a strongly aromatic herb that has to be used with care. It can be dried or freshly plucked.
This herb is also used with other ingredients to season meats and soups, and it is also an ingredient in a fruit salad.
There are two types of rosemary plants, but the upright type with broad leaves contains more essential oils.
Rosemary contains various health benefits like reducing sugar levels, nourishing the eye’s sight, and creating clearer vision.
5. Bay Leaf
This is one of the most popularly used herbs in the world. This herb is known for its amazing fragrance and flavor in dishes, including homemade ones.
We recommend it for new cooks because it is easy to use and adds amazing flavor to dishes. Bay leaf can be used in stews, Indian biryani, soups, pasta, and rice.
Among the amazing benefits Bay Leaf provides are vitamins, which help boost the immune system, treat stomach upset, and control sugar levels.
6. Mint
Mint is one of the different types of culinary herbs that we have. It is commonly used and well-known around the world.
This herb is good for beginners, it can be used from the beginning of the meal to the end.
The minty flavor is one of the major elements that the herb provides. Mint can be used as an ingredient for yogurt and as a garnish and flavoring agent for salad.
mint herbs have long been known to have numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, rich in nutrients, Helping nursing mothers reduce breastfeeding pain, removing bad breath caused by garlic
7. Sage
Sage is one of the different types of culinary herbs that we have, this herb is used in seasoning dishes.
This is a minty herb that also has a powerful peppery flavor. It is best used for flavoring roasted meat.
It can be used dried, preserved, or freshly plucked; any of these three forms will give you an excellent taste.
Sage herbs have long been known to have numerous health benefits, including fastening digestion, being rich in vitamins, helping to control sugar levels, and reducing bloating and diarrhea.
8. Oregano
Oregano is one of the culinary herbs that we have. This herb is used as a seasoning and flavoring agent that goes well with different dishes.
So, as a beginner, you can try this herb when seasoning your fish, meat, and soup. This herb is also used to garnish dishes and can be used in salads.
Among the various health benefits that oregano herbs provide to humans are aiding digestion, reducing coughs, helping to reduce pain, and boosting the immune system.
9. Chives
Chives are an onion-flavored herb that goes well in many dishes. This herb is one of the culinary herbs we have worldwide.
It can be used in seasoning pork, roasted meats, spring rolls, and chicken stew. This herb is rich in vitamins that help boost memory functions.
Chives help to boost the immune system, enable memory functions, reduce depression, and are rich in vitamins that help heal wounds. It is one of the different types of culinary herbs you can get today.
10. Fennel
Fennel, also known as Foeniculum vulgare, is an aromatic herb that can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. This herb is used to beautify salad and season several dishes.
This plant is part of the carrot family and is one of the different types of culinary herbs you can get today. It is a tasty culinary herb that makes your meal delicious.
The herbs contain various health benefits, including high nutrition, reduced menstrual pain, easing symptoms of menopause, aiding digestion, and improving skin problems.
11. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tasty culinary herb that is commonly used. It gives dishes a lemon-like flavor and scent.
It can be used fresh, dried, or powdered; any form will give your meal a unique flavor.
Lemongrass is a popular ingredient in Thai cooking, we hope you try out the herb.
It is filled with various health benefits that include stopping the growth of bacteria, suppressing fever, having high antioxidant properties, reducing pain, and amplifying sugar level
12. Lavender
Lavender is an aromatic herb that has a soft, peppery flavor. This herb can be used freshly plucked or dried; either of the two gives it a unique taste.
Lavender is one of the different types of culinary herbs that are mostly used. It can be used in seasoning roasted meats and also flavorsome for roasted root vegetables.
Among the different types of culinary herbs, lavender has long been known to have several health benefits.
It helps suppress pain, relieve high blood pressure, alleviate stress, and help you relax.
13 Curry Leaf
Curry leaf is one of the different types of culinary herbs that are commonly used across the world.
This herb can be used at the beginning or end of food making to give it a flavorsome taste.
This herb can be used fresh, dried, or powdered, it is usually used with other ingredients to season dishes such as (fish soup, meat soup, curry soup, and stew).
Curry leaf has long been known for its health benefits, which include helping to control and manage blood pressure, fasten digestion, and produce antioxidants that build strong immune systems.
