Herb Reference



Basil basil leaves This sweet and pungent herb, often attributed with Mediterranean cuisines, goes well with almost any recipie.
Bay bay leaves Bay leaves have a distinctively strong, aromatic, spicy flavor. Bay Leaves is the approved spice name, but the name "laurel" is sometimes used.
Chervil chervil The chervil herb tastes like celery, with a distinctly sweet and aromatic flavor.
Chili chili This spicy, red seasoning is often used in the all-famous spicy chili soup, but can be used to spice up any tomato-based soup.
Chives chives Chives, a thin, reedy member of the onion family, has a delicate, peppery-onion flavor.
Cumin cumin Cumin is actually the ground seed of the herb Cuminum. This pungent powder is a critical ingredient in chili powder and has strong ties in Mexican cuisine.
Dill dill The dill plant and its seeds have distinct flavors. Dill weed has a tea-like flavor with rye notes. The dill seed has a stronger flavor than dill weed.
Fennel fennel Fennel is ground from the seeds of the fennel plant. Fennel has a slight licorice flavor with some menthol undertones.
Garlic garlic Garlic has a very strong, pungent taste which often leads to bad breath. Cloves must be removed from the papery bulb before using them in soups.
Marjoram marjoram Marjoram is slightly minty and sweet, but has some slight bitter undertones.
Parsley parsley Parsley is the most well known herb. Parsley adds color to your dishes and has a green, vegetative taste.
Pepper pepper Black pepper is usually ground. This is a popular seasoning for recipies and for everyday meals.
Rosemary rosemary Rosemary has a kind of pine-woody smell with a fresh, bittersweet flavor.
Sage sage Sage has a very strong pine-woody and medicinal flavor, with a very strong aroma.
Savory savory Savory has a sharp minty and medicinal flavor with a strong aroma.
Thyme thyme Thyme has a musty/minty taste, with a warm aroma like hay.
Turmeric turmeric Turmeric is a very powerful yellow coloring agent. It has a slightly pungent, bitter flavor with an earthy aroma.

Back to Kitchen Guide

copyright 2006 R.Pflughaupt
last updated 02/09/2006

Here are some other links that can provide some more information on those herbal and seasoning must-haves!

McCormick's "Enspicelopedia"
Herb and Spice Substitutes
"Faerie's Finest" Seasoning Information

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1