Is Mother Of Thyme The Same As Thyme?

Mother of thyme is one of the common names used for creeping or wild thyme. It has a low-growing habit and is often found growing in rock gardens or along walkways.

Are there 2 types of thyme?

There are dozens of different varieties of thyme, each with their own unique appearance and flavor. Some thyme varieties are better for culinary purposes, while others make better ornamentals. A few types of thyme even create a beautiful, low-growing ground cover.

What is Mother thyme?

Mother of thyme, or Thymus praecox Opiz, is a perennial shrubby culinary herb from the mint family. Foliage is dense and mat-forming, making mother of thyme suitable for use as a ground cover, in borders, or combined with other plantings in containers.

What are the different types of thyme?

ThymesLower classifications

How do you use Mother of Thyme?

Mother of Thyme is an ideal choice for planting between walkway stones, edging the flower or vegetable garden, or cascading over rocks or wood in a terraced garden. Its dense, spreading habit makes it the ideal groundcover, while its rich fragrance and bright blooms add immeasurably to the appeal of any landscape.

Which type of thyme is best for cooking?

Those best for flavor, as well as ease of use, are the low-growing, shrubby ones known as English, French, lemon, or winter thyme.

What is the most common type of thyme for cooking?

Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)
As you might guess, common thyme is the most widely used culinary thyme. Common thyme grows well in most climates, ranging from zones 3 to 8.

Can you eat Mother of Thyme?

Mother of thyme, or Creeping Thyme, is a flowering lawn substitute. It grows in low, dense mats and is hardy and deer resistant. This flowering herb is edible, like other species of Thyme, and has a mild, mint-like flavor.

What does thyme do to the brain?

Thyme. This flavorful herb helps to protect neurons in the brain from premature aging. It also increases the amount of active omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in the brain. Omega-3 fatty acids can increase working memory, executive function, and mood, and decrease brain atrophy.

Is Mother of Thyme invasive?

So, let’s cut the chase — is creeping thyme really invasive? The answer is no; though it will spread fast in a garden, it won’t bother the other plants. Therefore, if you are looking for an attractive ground cover that smells nice and is also deer and rabbit resistant, you should definitely consider creeping thyme!

How do I know what type of thyme I have?

How to Identify Different Types of Thyme

1. Notice the height of the plant. The low-creeping types of thyme grow 4 to 6 inches high.
2. Observe the leaves for their shape and color.
3. Check the stems and branches.
4. Pick a few leaves and rub them between your fingers.
5. Look for flowers.

Can you eat all varieties of thyme?

All thymes (and there are over 350 species in the genus Thymus) are edible and this includes varieties usually thought of as ornamental or medicinal. However, some are more popular in cooking than others.

What is regular thyme called?

Thymus vulgaris
Thymus vulgaris, also known as common thyme or garden thyme, has striking purple flowers and grows into a spreading carpet. It’s ideal for filling in crevices in rock gardens and gaps in patios. The leaves have a strong aroma and are useful in stews, soups and with meat and fish dishes.

What is mother of herb good for?

Traditionally the plant is used to help people relax and sleep and rubbed on the temples to treat headache. I use “Mother of Herbs” as a culinary herb in omelettes cooked with tomato or will add a couple of leaves to rissoles.

Should I let my thyme plant flower?

Thyme’s tiny flowers are pretty and white. Though you can pinch the flowers off to allow the plant to produce more leaves, the flavor of thyme really isn’t compromised by letting the plant bloom.

Is it better to use fresh thyme or dried thyme?

The rule of thumb is that if you are cooking a dish on the stovetop for more than a few minutes, it’s best to use dried herbs. While you can use fresh herbs, after cooking them for 10 minutes or longer, the natural oils that make the herbs taste fresh are released.

Is drinking thyme tea good for you?

Thyme tea is best known for relieving ailments such as colds, flu and tonsillitis, which love to spoil our winters. Rich in phenol, a powerful antiseptic, thyme tea can also help soothe sore throats.

Does all thyme taste the same?

There are two popular varieties of thyme; common thyme and lemon thyme. These are the two most often used in cooking. As you might expect, the lemon thyme has a distinct lemon flavor and aroma.

Is dried thyme stronger than fresh?

Dried herbs tend to have a deeper, spicier flavor than fresh herbs. For that reason, you can usually add less dry herbs than you would fresh herbs. That way, those strong flavors won’t overpower your dish.

What type of thyme is best for tea?

You can choose to make your tea using fresh leaves or ground thyme powder. You can also use dried thyme, but remember to strain the leaves from your drink to avoid unpleasant textures.

What kind of thyme is best for tea?

If you use fresh thyme, your tea will be slightly milder than with dried thyme. I actually prefer dried thyme for this tea, because dried thyme has a stronger flavor profile. A little bit goes a long way. If you’re using dried thyme, make sure to smell the dried herbs before making tea.