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How Can You Tell The Difference Between Thyme And Lemon Thyme?

There is a range of different thyme varieties but two of the most common sold in stores are regular thyme and lemon thyme.


Summary Comparison Table.

Thyme Lemon Thyme
Flavor and aroma A gentle flavored herb that has minty, earthy, and floral flavor. Similar to regular thyme but a stronger citrus aroma and flavor.

How is lemon thyme different from thyme?

Lemon thyme is one of approximately 350 varieties of thyme, loved for its sweet citrus aroma and taste. It shares the minty, earthy and floral notes of regular thyme, but with a subtle essence of lemon that neutralises the bitterness sometimes found in its more well-known relative.

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.
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What does lemon thyme plant look like?

The pink, white or lavender tubular flowers of the thyme plant are very popular among the bee community. Thyme’s small gray-green leaves stay evergreen, and most varieties of thyme can be harvested even in the winter time. Lemon thyme produces clusters of small lavender or light purple flowers.

Are there different types of lemon thyme?

‘Golden Lemon’, ‘Golden Queen’, and ‘Aurea’: All three of these lemon thyme cultivars are similar in appearance with variegated golden lemon-scented foliage. Similar to ‘Silver Queen’, they stand out from other herbs in the garden and are attractive as an ornamental as well as providing excellent flavor.

Can I replace thyme with lemon thyme?

If that’s not going to happen, you can use regular thyme combined with lemon zest, dried lemon thyme, lemon verbena, or lemon balm. They’re not perfect substitutes, but they won’t taste out of place in your next recipe that calls for lemon thyme. What is this?

Is lemon thyme a hybrid?

Lemon thyme is a Mediterranean herb that has been used to treat illnesses for centuries. Once believed to be a hybrid of garden origin, between Thymus pulegioides and Thymus vulgaris, it has since received its classification after DNA analysis revealed it is its own species (Thymus citriodorus).

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.

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What are the different types of thyme?

ThymesLower classifications

How do you tell herbs apart?

Smell the aroma from the herb plant. Many herbs have distinctive smells that are dead giveaways of their identity. Basil has a strong earthy scent; fennel smells similar to licorice; mint has its own unique smell. Herbs such as cilantro and dill are more subtle, but can also be identified this way.

Is lemon thyme safe to eat?

Lemon thyme is best used fresh. Chop lemon thyme leaves just before use and add at the very end of the cooking process, before they lose flavor and color. Lemon thyme may be added to poultry, seafood, vegetable, marinades, stews, soups, sauces, and stuffing while fresh sprigs of this herb make a lovely garnish.

Can you eat lemon thyme raw?

Fresh leaves can be added to green salads or fruit salads for a hint of citrus. Include Lemon thyme in your herb blends for stocks and soups.

Does fresh thyme smell like lemon?

A favorite of all thymes, lemon thyme is great in the garden and the kitchen. Easy to grow. Although it looks like German thyme (or English thyme), it definitely tastes and smells like lemon. Use lemon thyme in any recipe that calls for lemon, including marinades.

Which 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.

Which thyme is used for cooking?

Though there are something like 300 varieties of this herb, the most common types used in cooking are Thymus vulgaris (common thyme), Thymus citriodorus (citrus thyme, Thymus herba-barona (caraway thyme) and Thymus serpillum (wild thyme) – which is often found in United States.

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Where does lemon thyme come from?

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is a low-growing fragrant shrub. It’s dotted with tiny leaves and thin, woody stems. Originating from the Mediterranean, the herb portrays some of the best attributes this abundant growing region has to offer.

What is the closest herb to thyme?

Substitutes for Thyme

  • Oregano. Fresh or dried, oregano makes a great thyme substitute.
  • Marjoram. Marjoram is very similar to oregano, and in turn, also very close to thyme, so it’s another excellent 1:1 substitute.
  • Rosemary.
  • Savoury.
  • Basil.
  • Herbs de Provence.

Does lemon thyme taste lemony?

Lemon thyme is one of the many varieties of thyme. Use it if the taste of thyme needs to be a little bit fresher. Its taste can be described as spicy, savory, slightly floral and – needless to say – lemony.

What is lemon thyme leaves?

Lemon thyme is one of the many varieties of thyme. It’s a low shrub native to the Mediterranean and a member of the mint family. It looks just like regular thyme, with long, thin sprigs with tiny spear-shaped green leaves.

What is another name for lemon thyme?

Thymus citriodorus
Thymus citriodorus, the lemon thyme or citrus thyme, is a lemon-scented evergreen mat-forming perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae.

Can you walk on lemon thyme?

These low-growing lemon scented thymes give off a magnificently fragrant fusion of lemon and thyme, when brushed against or stepped on. Deliciously fragrant to cook with too! Purple Carpet lemon thyme is extremely hardy, easily tolerating cold climates.

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