Thyme

herb · Mediterranean · mint family · cooking

Tiny flavor powerhouse. Thyme comes from dried leaves and flowers of plants in the mint family, and just a pinch adds a warm, earthy flavor to soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. Its small leaves pack a big taste punch.

Mediterranean home. Thyme is native to countries around the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain, and North Africa, where it grows wild in the warm, sunny climate.

Ancient medicine. For thousands of years, people have used thyme not just for cooking but also for healing, believing it could help with coughs and other ailments.

Pretty garden plant. Thyme isn't just for eating, it's also grown in gardens for its delicate flowers and attractive leaves that attract bees and butterflies.

Most common kind. The thyme you'll find in most grocery stores and kitchens is called Thymus vulgaris, which originally comes from Southeast Europe.