thyme

How To Dry Thyme – 4 Methods

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What Is Thyme – How To Dry Thyme – How to Store Thyme – Using Fresh vs Dried Thyme – FAQ – Summary

Drying and keeping your thyme for the long term is a very important thing to learn and know about. Thyme is a very herbaceous and aromatic herb. It’s a great addition to most foods and will bring up both the aroma and the flavor of whatever you are cooking. 

Here we share some of the different ways you could go about drying your harvest of thyme. 

Dried Thyme
Dried Thyme

What Is Thyme

Thyme is a very common herb that can be found in a number of different varieties with different aromas and flavors. It grows relatively slowly and will be able to handle hard periods and environments rather well. 

It likes to grow in a dry soil where it can get both some shade and some sunlight. Watering the thyme about once a week will be enough, even during some really warm summers.

Some of the most popular thyme varieties to grow at home are as following:

  • Common Thyme
  • Lemon Thyme
  • Creeping Thyme
  • Wild Thyme

How To Dry Thyme

There are like we said a number of different ways to dry thyme. Here we share some of the methods that we have tried and enjoy doing the most. The purpose is with all of them to try and keep the flavor and aroma of the herb as much as possible.

How To Air Dry Thyme

Air drying thyme might be the best method actually to preserve the flavor of the herb. We air dry the thyme by tying a bundle of it in the air and letting it dry slowly like this. 

It will take between 1 – 2 weeks or so for it to be finished. It will not only keep the flavor but also spread its aroma to the rest of the room. Make sure you keep something underneath to catch any leaves falling off.

How To Dehydrate Thyme

Dehydrating thyme is a very efficient way of drying a large amount of thyme and then using it during the colder months when you can’t get fresh harvests. Drag the leaves off the sprig from the thyme and lay them flat on a tray. 

Dry in the dehydrator at the lowest possible temperature setting. This will take between 3 – 6 hours before it’s fully dried. Keeping the temperature down will help maintain both the aroma and flavor very well. Store in an air-tight container afterwards.

How To Dry Thyme In The Oven

This might be the most common method for gardens to dry their thyme. Laying the sprigs or picked leaves flat in an even layer on a tray and then drying is a great option.

The downside might be that the light coming from the oven sort of changes the color a little bit of the thyme. It goes more brown instead of keeping its lovely green color.

How To Dry Thyme In Microwave

This is probably the least used method here on the list. We must first pick the leaves from the thyme and then put it on a plate. 

Microwave the leaves until they are dry in texture. This won’t take very long. The risk being that the leaves are instead starting to burn. Store them in an air-tight container afterwards.

Thyme Plant
Thyme Plant

How To Store Dried Thyme

Being able to store dried thyme in the best and proper way is just as important as being able to dry the thyme too. We always recommend keeping the dried herb, in this case thyme, in an air-tight container. 

Keep some kitchen paper in the bottom of the container to soak up any liquid that might sneak into the box. This box should then be kept in a cabinet or just away from a stove or fridge. It will stay good for about 6 months at least before the aroma starts to diminish.

How To Use Fresh And Dried Thyme

Using both fresh and dried thyme is sort of different. Fresh thyme can for example be used when frying meat as a finishing touch, but using dried thyme herb would just give out a burnt flavor as the leaves get cooked too quickly.

Fresh thyme leaves would therefore be best used in places where it doesn’t have to soak up liquid, like of a salad or vegetables. Dried thyme would be better to use in soups and sauces instead where it can give a better concentration of flavor.

FAQ

Is It Better To Freeze Or Dry Fresh Thyme

In our opinion, drying thyme is the better option. With herbs like thyme and rosemary, they don’t contain a lot of water from the start. So drying them won’t really change the flavor that much.

What Is The Best Way To Keep Thyme Fresh

Keeping thyme fresh for a long time is very easy. Store it in an air-tight container with some kitchen paper in the bottom. If the box is kept in the fridge then you can expect to have fresh thyme for at least 1 – 2 weeks.

Can Fresh Thyme Be Dried

Fresh thyme can definitely be dried. One of the best methods of drying it is tying a bundle and letting it hang freely. It will keep the flavor and aroma very well if done like this.

Thyme Plant
Thyme Plant

Summary

There are a number of ways to dry thyme out there. The one we would recommend is perhaps the most time consuming one, to air dry thyme. Tying a bundle and letting it slowly dry. It will take between 1 and 2 weeks before it’s done. 

Store it in an air-tight container afterwards to help maintain the flavor and aroma of the herb.

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Can You Smoke Thyme

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What Is Thyme – Thyme Varieties – Best Variety – Quitting Smoking – Pros & Cons – Safety – Health Benefits – Conclusion

Using thyme to smoke isn’t perhaps the most common practice among those who use herbal cigarettes. But thyme has a rather long history surrounding it where it has been used for smoking quite frequently. Often in ceremonies where the aim was to clear rooms from spirits and purify it.

But nowadays smoking thyme would be done for the aroma and the flavor it would offer in a herbal cigarette. There is still research to be published on the topic of smoking herbs, but the proposal is that you are able to get a lot of the benefits in thyme for example when you ignite it and inhale the smoke.

Flowering Thyme
Flowering Thyme

What Is Thyme

Thyme is a widely cultivated herb that is native to Eurasia. The latin name for the plant is Thymus vulgaris. It’s a very popular herb in the Mediterranean and has been for centuries. Here it was used as a flavoring in food but also for burning and smoking sometimes.

Thyme is in the same family as mint where spearmint and peppermint are also members. It’s a perennial and it can manage really rough periods with drought and a lot of sunlight. There are about 350 different varieties of the plant worldwide. Just like the peppermint, the thyme plant is also known to be able to purify the air around it from harmful bacteria and microbes.

What Types Of Thyme Can You Smoke

There are over 350 different varieties of thyme out there, but there are some that are a lot more common than others and more widely available. They all offer slightly different flavors and benefits. Below is a short list of some of our favorites and accessible varieties:

  • Common Thyme
  • Lemon Thyme
  • Wolly Thyme
  • Creeping Thyme
  • Wild Thyme

Common Thyme

The most common and widely used thyme variety is the common thyme. It can range slightly in color depending on the environment it’s growing in. In a more humid and well watered soil the leaves will be more green and fragrant. In dryer climates the plant instead has a more yellow color to it.

Lemon Thyme

Lemon thyme might be even better than the common thyme. With the same look to it, this one instead has a very pleasant fragrance of lemon and citrus. It’s wonderful to use raw in salads and as a topping. It grows well in most envpiremtns.

Wolly Thyme

Slightly less fragrant than the other two. It has larger leaves and a thicker stem. Often used more for decoration rather than for cooking.

Creeping Thyme

This very common plant is often used to cover areas where it’s difficult to grow grass instead on a lawn. Thyme can handle router environments. It grows pretty slowly and is rarely used in cooking.

Wild Thyme

Wild thyme is probably the most difficult one to get a hold of from this list. It has beautiful red and purple flowers. Very fragrant with large and green leaves.

Thyme Plant
Thyme Plant

Which Thyme Variety Is Best To Smoke

The best variety of thyme to smoke is probably the lemon thyme one. It has a very fragrant smell that more or less everyone will enjoy. It’s pretty easy to come across and use. But it can also be pretty intense to smoke it.

Since it’s very fragrant, using it as more of a flavoring instead of simply just smoking it solely on its own. Lemon thyme could make up about 10 – 20 % of the total blend when using it for flavoring instead. If you are not into the citrusy aroma of lemon thyme then go for the common thyme instead. It will be slightly sweeter.

Can Thyme Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Cigarettes are known to be very addictive because of the nicotine that is in there. Just like caffeine and sugar can be addictive as well. Where these new herbal cigarettes really excell is getting people to stop smoking cigarettes. They won’t contain any of the harmful additives and chemicals found in commercial cigarettes.

The act of lighting a cigarette and smoking it will be the same and can give off some of the same pleasures. There hasn’t been a lot of research surrounding the benefits of smoking herbal cigarettes. But one thing that has been discovered is that they do in fact help people get rid of a nicotine cigarette addiction pretty effectively.

Pros And Cons Of Smoking Thyme

There are some pros and cons to smoking them of course. In all honesty there are probably more positives than negatives. There is yet to be research published on the topic of smoking herbal cigarettes. It’s still not really known about whether or not you are able to take in the nutrients present in the herbs by inhaling the smoke.

The argument is that smoking the herbs is a more effective way of activating the essential oils in them and inhaling them via the smoke. There are however some negatives to this proposition. You are with every smoke you are inhaling also getting carbon monoxide. It’s a by-product when something is combusting.

Carbon monoxide is known to increase the risk of lung cancer and respiratory issues. But at least with herbal cigarettes you are not inhaling any of those nasty chemicals and nicotine found in the mainstream cigarette brands.

Is It Safe To Smoke Thyme

Smoking anything is bad for the body like we have mentioned previously. Whenever you are getting carbon monoxide into your body you are increasing the risk for both cancer and respiratory issues. 

But smoking a herbal cigarette with almost 100 % thyme will give you a cooling feeling which can help with a flu or even a fever sometimes. The reason you are getting that feeling is because the thyme plant is in the mint family.

Thyme Sprigs
Thyme Sprigs

The Health Benefits Of Smoking Thyme

Eating thyme by itself in its raw form will help give your body some essential oils and nutrition. But when smoked, the research is yet to be published whether you are able to still take up the nutrients. But a short list of some of the supposed benefits are as following:

  • Improves eyesight
  • Helps with coughs, colds and sore throat
  • Cures acne and scar issues
  • Promotes hair growth
  • Can treat respiratory issues
  • Helps with muscle cramps
  • Rich in antibacterial properties

Now it should be mentioned that smoking anything and inhaling the smoke can be harmful to the body. The particles in the smoke stay in the lungs and can create long term problems.

Conclusion And Summary

Let’s conclude the topic of smoking thyme. It’s something that has been done for many centuries. Burning thyme was perhaps the more common practice instead. Used often to help clear rooms and cleanse them before spiritual ceremonies. 

Nowadays smoking is often done with herbal cigarettes. These have become rather popular in recent decades and are a great means to stop smoking nicotine cigarettes instead. The flavor and aroma of thyme really comes forth when you ignite the herb in a cigarette.

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What Thyme Tastes Like

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Thyme Sprig In The Garden

What Thyme Tastes Like

Welcome to this post where we will talk about what thyme actually tastes like. There are a variety of different thyme out there and all of them are different flavors. But the most common thyme will have a very strong herbal aroma when it’s fresh. It will be similar to grass with wood but also a nice floral note to it. This is one of the best herbs we know and we use it almost everyday.

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As the herb is dried these flavors are intensified further but the fresh thyme is also fantastic to use. Those looking for a citrus not in their thyme will have lemon thyme as a favorite. It’s a fantastic variety of thyme that fits many different uses. Follow along below and we will discuss even more about the flavors and aromas of thyme.

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If you are looking into getting some creeping thyme for your garden to use as a ground cover then we have the perfect article for you. Here we look at the arguments for or against the creeping thyme. Find it here, Creeping Thyme Pros And Cons.

Thyme Flowering In The Sun

What Thyme Tastes Like

The taste of thyme is often described as being very herbal, might sound cliche as it’s a culinary herb, but that’s beside the point. The aromatics are often what makes thyme the favorite among so many people. We particularly enjoy the floral flavor that you can also get with thyme leaves. They fit perfectly sprinkled on top of a salad or butter fried steak.

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In short you can conclude the flavor of thyme as very aromatic with notes of both grass and wood but with a nice florality to it as well. This is the reason it’s such a staple part of a lot of kitchen and can’t really be replaced by anything.

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But there are other thyme varieties as well that have some great flavor and qualities to them. The first one that comes to mind is lemon thyme. This is a fantastic aromatic herb that actually does taste a lot like lemon. We find that pairing this with both fish and some lighter poultry are a match made in heaven. The intesen aromatics you get from using it is just amazing.

Thyme Bush Growing Outdoors

Does Thyme Taste Bitter

Thyme can taste bitter but this is often because the plant has gotten too old. The young and fresh sprigs of thyme will instead be very aromatic and slightly sweet. If your thyme sprigs have a bark around the stem on them then they might taste bitter.

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But using them in a soup is perfectly fine. We find that the bitter notes go away when you cook it. This way you don’t have to throw any away and can fully enjoy the wonders of growing thyme and making the most of it.

Does Thyme Taste Like Rosemary

Thyme will not taste like rosemary. They can be used for a lot of similar things but rosemary will be a lot more aromatic generally speaking. Thyme is like we said sweeter because of the floral notes that you can find in it. But some other factors are the slightly woody flavor that can arise. Not really a bad thing, just a very specific thing to them.

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The flavor of rosemary is often recognized by the intense aromas that will come from it. As you rub it you will feel the natural oils come forth and make the whole room smell.

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Let’s summarize the post here a little bit again. The flavor of thyme is for us made up of nice aromas like grass and wood. On top of this you also find a lot of floral flavors that help lift any dish that you choose to use thyme with.

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If you are having issues with getting all the delicious thyme leaves of the stem then we have an article that covers this topic. You can find it here, Best Way To Get Thyme Off Stem.

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Best Way To Get Thyme Off Stem

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Best Way To Get Thyme Off Stem

Welcome to this post that will talk about the best way you can get thyme of the stem. It can be annoying and a hassle leaving the stem and only getting the delicious and fragrant leaves. We have found that the best way to do this is by pinching the stem of the thyme and then dragging it.

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Make sure you do it against the grains of sorts. This will take off the leaves very easily. Just make sure you keep a container underneath to catch all those leaves. In this article we will dive a bit deeper on that and also reveal another trick to getting them off. One that many chefs are actually using in professional kitchens. 

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If you want to learn more about thyme and especially the taste of it then we have the article for you. Find it here, What Thyme Tastes Like.

Thyme Growing In The Garden

Best Way To Get Thyme Off Stem

We have found that the best way to get the leaves of the thyme stems are like we said in the beginning. You pinch the stem with two fingers and then you drag it through. Doing it against the grains will make all the leaves fall off and you can enjoy them as you wish.

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This is the fastest way we have found to get them off. They might still be a little bit robust but that’s home cooking. A small amount of stem won’t hurt you. On the tender stems of a thyme they will actually be edible. In our opinion this part of the thyme is also delicious.

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Let’s talk about that trick that the professionals are using. We tried it as well to see the results of it. They use a sieve and drag the stem of the thyme through it. On one side the leaves will be left and on the other you will have a completely stripped thyme stem. This will leave neater and nicely picked thyme leaves ready to be used.

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Note that when you take off the leaves they will not last as long. They can start wilting quickly and even within a week they won’t be any good. so it’s important that you try to use them as quickly as possible. Since you have grown them yourself and taken care of them it’s a great waste seeing them thrown away.

Thyme Flowering In The Garden

Can You Use Thyme Stems

You can absolutely use the stems of the thyme. This is a great way of making sure that there is nothing going to waste. One of our favorite ways to use them is in soups or stocks. Here we can put them in whole. But if we want to enjoy them raw in a salad or what not then we very thinly slice them. These we them sprinkle over whatever we want them on. A delicious way of adding some fragrance to a dish.

Are Thyme Stems Poisonous

The thyme stems are not poisonous. But with most things you don’t want to eat too much of them. But the amount of thyme you would have to eat for it to be harmful would equal a yearly intake in one go almost. We guess that you won’t be doing that any time soon even if you are a fan of the herb.

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Instead of throwing them away you can instead use them in a sauce or a stew. Just make sure you leave them in there whole so they are easier to get out of there.

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Let’s summarize again on what we talked about here. The best way we know about stripping the thyme of the stem is to pinch it first. Then you drag it through and off all the leaves. Keep them in a dry container in the fridge for up to a week or so. After that you might need to get some new and fresh thyme.

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Are you wondering if your thyme is starting to go bad? In this article here we will discuss some of the things to look out for and identify if they can still be used. Find it here, Does Thyme Go Bad.

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Does Thyme Go Bad

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Thyme Plants In The Garden

Does Thyme Go Bad

Welcome to this post about whether thyme can go bad and how you can see if the thyme has gone bad. The best way to know if the thyme has gone bad is smelling and looking at it. If it’s smelling sort of sour almost then they might have fermented and won’t be very nice to use.

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 If they are smelling off then toss it and absolutely don’t use it, not even in a compost. Look at the leaves as well, they will have a brownish color if they are starting to go bad. In this article we will go more in depth on this. Follow along and learn more about how you can spot if your thyme has gone bad.

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If you want to learn some tips and tricks about the best ways you can get the thyme off the stem then we have an article for you. Find it here, Best Way To Get Thyme Of Stem.

Thyme Outdoors In The Frost

Does Thyme Go Bad

Thyme can absolutely go bad and it can go quick as well if it’s not correctly stored. What we have discovered during the years of growing thyme is that they are very susceptible to moisture. This is why we want to minimize that exposure as much as possible. This will keep it healthier a lot longer.

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The best type of storage for picked and fresh thyme is a dry container with a lid to it. This will keep it safe for the longest. Leave a piece of kitchen paper in the container to sukc up all the moisture and water that might sneak into the box. Leaving the thyme like this will keep it for many weeks.

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But how can you see if the thyme is starting to go bad? You will need to look at the outline of the leaves. They should still be fresh and green for them to be nice to use. if they are starting to go brown then you probably shouldn’t use them. They wouldn’t harm you using them in a stew or soup. But they won’t exactly add a lot of flavor to it.

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What can you then do with the thyme that has gone bad? Well, it sort of depends on what type of bad. If they just dried up then they can go in the compost. If they are instead moldy then you will need to toss them in the trash. They should not go in the compost. Even though there are a lot of bacteria there, we don’t want to introduce mold bacteria to the mix.

Thyme Flowering Outside In The Sun

Can You Use Expired Thymes?

Is it a good idea to use expired thyme? If it’s fresh then it will depend. If they are still green and smell of thyme then they are probably fine to use. Have they started going brown then you should probably toss them.

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In the case of dried thyme then expired ones can probably also be used. If they are many many years old then they will not taste a lot. But unless they haven’t been exposed to a bunch of moisture or whatnot during the years then you can use them. But since it’s very cheap to go and get some new thyme then we suggest doing that. They will taste better and that is what it’s all about.

Thyme Plants Growing In The Sun

Does Fresh Thyme Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Yes they will go bad. They will go bad a lot slower if you keep them in the refrigerator however. Outside they might last for a week before drying up and losing that freshness to them. They won’t go bad but will taste like the dried ones you buy at the store.

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Keeping them in the fridge will make them viable for almost 4 weeks in total. So you can clearly see the benefit of having them in there instead.

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Let’s summarize a little bit of what we have been talking about here. Thyme can definitely go bad. The best way to know is to smell the thyme and also look at the thyme. If they start to go brown or smell sour then you shouldn’t use them. Proper storage can keep them good for up to 4 weeks without any problems.

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If you want to read an article that only talks about keeping the thyme in the fridge then we are the perfect one for you. Find it here, How Long Does Thyme Last In The Fridge.

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How Long Does Thyme Last In The Fridge

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Thyme Sprigs Indoors

How Long Does Thyme Last In The Fridge

Thyme is one of the best herbs to keep for a long thyme at home. We have had some of them last for at least 4 weeks straight. The most important thing is really to keep them dry and away from too much moisture. After you have picked the thyme then it will quickly need to be placed in a proper container and stored cold. Holding it outside for too long will make it dry out.

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Letting it dry out outside for too long will make the freshness go away very quickly. In this article we will be talking about the best storage options for thyme. We will also talk about how you can know when it has gone bad.

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If you want to read an even more in depth guide about spotting if your thyme has gone bad then we have the article for you. Find it here, Does Thyme Go Bad.

Thyme Plants Flowering Outdoors

How Long Does Thyme Last In The Fridge

Thyme will last for many many weeks in your fridge if you make sure to take care of it well enough. The main problem that we see a lot of people having with storing thyme is that there is too much moisture that gets in contact with the thyme. This will create a viable environment for mold to start growing there. So storing the thyme the right way is really what it comes down to.

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We have gone through so many times to test out different storage options but what we always end up with is one method. A very dry container with a lid to it. In this container we lay some kitchen paper on the bottom. On that we lay the thyme and spread it out. We want it nice and even before we place the lid on top. Keeping it this way will have it viable after 4 weeks without a doubt.

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If you are going to use the thyme within one week of picking it then you can wrap it in a damp paper towel. This might seem counterproductive given what we said previously. But the thyme will sort of continue growing and being alive. It will keep it fresher but the higher level of moisture will make it go and after that one week. It will start going downhill and the leaves will start falling off.

Closeup Of A Thyme Plant

Should You Store Thyme In Fridge

Yes you should if you want to keep the thyme for a long time. The lower temperature will slow down any form of mold growing on it. But this is of course true for most things you store in a fridge. Higher temperatures make for a more habitable environment for mold.

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Another thing storing the thyme in the fridge does is make it rest. It will sort of get preserved leaving them in the fridge. This will actually be true for all herbs. After you have picked them they will stay nicer a lot longer if you keep them in the fridge.

Can Thyme Leaves Go Bad

The thyme leaves are really what will go bad the first. The stem will be strong enough to last for a very long time. But the leaves are going to last for a maximum of a month if you keep them in the right conditions.

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If you are unsure if the leaves have gone bad then look at the edges of them. Are they sort of brown in color and no bounce to them then you probably shouldn’t still use them. They might be good but the flavor of them won’t be as concentrated as once you picked them.

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Let’s summarize quickly what we have been talking about in this article. Keeping thyme in a dry container in the fridge will last for about 1 month before it starts going bad quickly.

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If you are having issues with getting all the leaves of the thyme sprigs then we have the perfect article for you. Find it here, How To Strip Thyme Leaves.

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How To Strip Thyme Leaves

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How To Strip Thyme Leaves

Welcome to this article that will talk about how you can best strip away thyme leaves from the sprigs. As we want to get the most of our thyme it can be annoying getting those last leaves off. But we are here to talk about the best ways of making the most of your time. We find that dragging two fingers backwards on the thyme will make the leaves fall off easier.

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This will make them fall off and you can save a whole bunch of space storing them at home. In this article we will go more in depth on this topic and discuss some other questions about thyme sprigs, such as do you need to destem them. Follow along and learn more about this fantastic culinary herb.

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If you want to learn even more about storing thyme then we have the perfect article for you. It will discuss storing thyme in a fridge the best way. You can find the article here, How Long Does Thyme Last In The Fridge.

Thyme Flowering In The Sunny Weather

How To Strip Thyme Leaves

The method that we like to use the most when stripping the leaves from the thyme stems is to press the spring between two fingers. Make sure you are going against the grain of sorts with the thyme. Drag the stems through and all the leaves will be falling off. We find that this is both the fastest and easiest method of stripping away thyme leaves.

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This will leave you with less work and more time. A win win in our opinion. But there are of course some other methods out there as well. One that has gained a lot of popularity is dragging the spring through a strainer. Make sure you just have a strainer that has larger enough holes that the stem can go through. The leaves will stick on one side and be collected. This is also a semi quick method of collecting the leaves.

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The best thyme sprigs to pick are those that are really fresh as the leaves are a bit bouncier. They catch a lot easier when dragging the sprigs. The older the thyme gets the more bendable the leaves get. The catch is a lot harder than. So make sure you have fresh thyme when wanting to collect the leaves.

Thyme Plants Growing In The Weather

How Do You Destem Thyme

Destemming the thyme is best done like the above method. Dragging the sprig of thyme whilst pressing it between two fingers. This will catch the leaves and they will be dragged off. Do it above a small container to catch all the leaves as they fall off.

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This is actually the method I have learnt from a friend who works in professional kitchens. They have to go through so much time every single day. So finding the best way of determining them is important.

Thyme Plants Growing In The Sun

Can You Eat Thyme Stems

Eating the stems of the thyme will not be an enjoyable experience. They are edible but the texture of them are ot pleasant. But if you have chopped them together with the leaves then it won’t harm you accidentally eating some.

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As for using the stems for anything you can keep them and use in soups where it’s easier to get them out. Since we like to use thyme a lot in our household we see a lot of stems. We have found that these are perfect to use in a vegetable stock or a meat stock even. They add a nice aromatic flavor to it.

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Let’s summarize a bit about what we have been talking about here. The best way to strip the thyme leaves of the stem. Hold the spring between two fingers and then drag them through. This will remove the leaves from the stem and leave only the leaves. Keep them in a container with a lid if you are not going to use them straight away.

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If you wonder how long your thyme might be good for after you have picked them then we have an article about that. Find it right here, How Long Is Thyme Good For.

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How Long Is Thyme Good For

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Thyme Outdoors Growing

How Long Is Thyme Good For

Welcome to this post that will talk about how long you can expect your thyme to be good for. This fantastic and versatile culinary herb will stay viable for a very long time. It’s one of our favorites to use at home and provides plenty of fantastic flavors in cooking. The best part is that I won’t have to worry about not using them right away after picking the spiders.

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Of course they will taste better the fresher they are. Usually they will stay good for at least 2 weeks without any issues. But with proper storage then your thyme will most likely last a whole lot longer than that actually. In this article we will dive deeper into exactly that. 

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If you want to learn even more about thyme and the best way to strip away the small leaves from the spgs then we have the article for you. Here we will provide some good tips and tricks. Find it here, How To Strip Thyme Leaves.

Thyme Plant Growing In The Garden

How Long Is Thyme Good For

Thyme will stay good for way longer than you might think. I have picked them sometimes and have them still fresh and vibrant after 3 weeks. It all comes down to storing them right after picking them. What we have found to be the best way is a container that is closed off. Keep them in this to not expose it to unnecessary amounts of moisture. That is the enemy of keeping anything for a long time. It will make for a habitable environment of mold.

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We have seen people recommending leaving them in a damp paper towel. This should be avoided. We want to have them dry. Like we said, too much moisture will make them start to go bad. They might stay good the first week this way but after that it is downhill.

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A good tip however is leaving them on paper towels in the container and lightly spread out. All bunched up will make them start molding from within and the seeds will fall off a lot faster than you want to.

Thyme Plants Growing In The Sun

How To Tell If Thyme Is Bad

The best way to check if your thyme has gone bad is by just smelling them. Are they smelling odd or even sour, then just toss them. Even though some sprigs might be good, the whole batch of harvest will have been infected.

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Usually this happens when you store the thyme after it’s been picked in a wet container with an open lid in the refrigerator. In there the moisture from all the other products will get on the thyme and make it start to decompose eventually. So using them fresh right away or otherwise storing them in a  dry environment is what we recommend.

Thyme Flowering Outside In The Garden

Can You Freeze Thyme

Thyme can be frozen to extend the shelf life of it but it wont make the taste any better. Unfortunately, freezing any herb will make it taste less. You really can compare it to the fresh version. But if you have an excess of thyme on your hands then you can freeze them. The most space efficient way is to remove the leaves from the sprigs and then store them in a container.

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Having them freeze as a block will make it easier to get what you want. Just take a fork and scrape the top surface of the frozen thyme block. It should come off relatively easy.

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Let’s summarize a bit of what we discussed here. Thyme can be kept in a dry container with a lid in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks without any issues. It might even be good after the 4 month mark too. The main thing is just keeping it away from unnecessary amount of moisture.

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If you want to learn more about different thyme varieties then we have an article talking about creeping thyme. Here we give some argument both for and against growing it. Find it here, Creeping Thyme Pros And Cons.

Thyme Laying Indoors On Paper

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Creeping Thyme Pros And Cons

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Creeping Thyme Pros And Cons

Welcome to this post that will talk about some of the pros and cons that are with growing creeping thyme at home. In our opinion, which of the more useful ground covers to have. As it both can be used for cooking actually as well as smelling very nicely.

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But in this topic we display both sides of the argument on why or why not you might want to grow this variety at home. The biggest con with this ground cover is the fact it does eventually take over where it is growing. It can even overtake grass if it wants to and have an environment supporting its growth.

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If you are growing thyme at home and wonder how long it might be good for then we have the perfect article for you. Here we will discuss the shelf life of freshly picked thyme. Find it here, How Long Is Thyme Good For.

Thyme Flowering Outdoors

Creeping Thyme Pros And Cons

Let’s start with the negatives of growing creeping thyme so get it over with. The biggest drawback in our opinion has to be the speed that the thyme will be taking over other parts of the garden. As the name suggests it will slowly creep and overtake even parts grown with grass. There have been reports of it growing almost 1 feet every year on average as it’s expanding. With this in mind it can hold off the idea of sowing it at home.

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As the creeping thyme is establishing itself and the general root system gets olde it will be more difficult to cut back and get under control. growing it in the garden might not be a very good idea as it can take over the other herbs or plants you might have growing there. Since it is used as a ground cover it will hinder oxygen from going into the soil. This can then make it difficult for other plants to continue growing as they get choked out.

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The pros of growing the creeping thyme are for example that it will hold off weeds like nettles and thistle. These can otherwise be real problems in gardens. The creeping thyme covers these problematic areas with some patience and eventually you won’t see any weeds there.

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Another good thing about growing thyme is that it’s a nitrogen fixer which means it will bring nutrients into the soil. The area it might take over will make up for the nutrients it spreads to nearby plants or trees. This might actually be the biggest upside and argument for growing creeping thyme at home.

Creeping Thyme Sprigs Indoors

Is Creeping Thyme A Good Ground Cover?

Creeping thyme is a fantastic ground cover as it will on the average expand around 1 feet per year. This can with time make for a very large amount of creeping thyme growing in your garden. But for those that are looking for a good ground covering plant then this might be the one for you.

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Since thyme is a herb that can grow in very dry and and non nutritious soil you won’t have to care for it a whole lot. It will manage fine on its own and before you know it you have enough creeping thyme to cover your garden.

Does Creeping Thyme Attract Bugs

Since the creeping thyme is such an excellent ground covering plant it will attract different insects. But this should not worry you, instead you should be happy about it. Since these bugs that get attracted are often very beneficial for your garden. They will benefit from your garden and in return keep away bugs that might cause more harm than good to your plants.

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If you are curious about what the taste of thyme is then we have written an article that outlines this perfectly. Find it right here, What Thyme Tastes Like.

Thyme Flowers In The Garden

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How Do You Make A Bushy Thyme

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Thyme Growing Indoors

How Do You Make A Bushy Thyme

Welcome to this post about how to make a bushy thyme. It can be a challenge sometimes making your thyme plant grow in a more bushy way to both look beautiful but also be easier to harvest from. The thing with thyme is that it’s never really too late to make the plant bushier. It just comes down to the techniques that you apply to it. Thyme is a hardy plant that can manage a lot of trimming and cutting so you can shape and bend it however you might want it. To read more about this you can follow along below.

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If you want a complete and comprehensive guide to trimming thyme to promote growth you can read one of our articles here, How Do You Trim Thyme So It Keeps Growing.

Bushy Thyme In The Garden

How Do You Make A Bushy Thyme

Like I said in the beginning of the article, it’s never really too late to start making your thyme plant bushier and easier to harvest from. A bushy thyme will look a lot more beautiful and inviting in your garden. The best practice is to start trimming already the first year of you starting to grow it. But it will become easier and easier as the years go along and the plant establishes itself. As you might know with most herbs is that once you cut off a stem, most likely two new ones will grow from there. This is what we will take advantage of for making a bushier plant.

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Now, cutting the stems can be tricky because you want to cut the right ones that will make the plant bushier. I usually like to leave the ones growing straight up. It’s the ones on the sides I want to start multiplying and make that bushy appearance. The ones growing straight up will help make the overall look of it bigger so that’s why I dont cut them.

Bushy Thyme Growing In The Sun

How Do You Prune Thyme To Make It Bushy

What you should also know is that you can never cut off any more than 30 % of the plant as that might risk it dying off. Although thyme is a hardy plant like we said before, it has its limits too. So restrain yourself a little bit with the trimming. Let it grow back and a bit more before you do a second trimming. This keeps the thyme always growing bigger and bigger. Before you know if you have more thyme to use then you could ever imagine.

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A few other aspects will also help the thyme in growing a bit bushier. That’s placing it so it can get a lot of sun during the day. Outside you will want it to have around 6 – 8 hours. Growing inside it should get 10 hours of sun. This amount will keep it on track with growth and help it store energy for the fall and winter.

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I want to reiterate quickly again on what we have been talking about in this article about how you make your thyme bushier. It comes down to cutting the right stems. The ones growing around on the side and letting the next two growths come out from the one you cut off. Doing this will make your thyme appear bushier but also supply more harvests throughout the year.

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Is your thyme bush starting to flower and you wonder if you should pinch them off? In this article we lay out the pros and cons. Find it here, Should I Pinch Flowers Off Thyme.

Bushy Thyme Plant Growing Outside

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