The time has arrived to think beyond basil, parsley, and garlic and start thinking out of the box when it comes to herbs. Herbs give a lovely depth of flavor to otherwise bland food, and some of them are beneficial to our health and overall wellbeing.
Look at these ten herbs that you can utilize to expand your range and bring much joy to your garden, yourself, and the bees.
1. Sweet Bergamot (Monarda didyma)
Also referred to as Oswego tea or bee balm, this herb is originating from North America and tastes like bergamot with a touch of thyme and mint. If you are a lover of Earl Grey tea, then this bee-friendly infusion is going to tickle your fancy for sure.
2. Lettuce-Leaved Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil may not sound out of the ordinary, but this one is monstrous. A single leaf sits perfectly on a sandwich, and it tastes similar to sweet basil, just more intense. You can grow it in a pot, somewhere in a warm and sheltered corner.
3. Summer Savory (Satureja Hortensis)
If you love cooking with thyme, then you’ll enjoy summer savory. This spicy, sweet, and peppery herb is an excellent pairing with beans, and it has a pungent aroma. You can infuse it under the skin when making roast chicken, with cabbage or pork dishes. It is perfectly content in a pot exposed to sunlight in free-draining soil. Visit trottingthroughtime.com for more insightful herb-related articles.
4. Japanese Wild Parsley (Mitsuba)
Sort of a mix between celery and parsley with a touch of coriander and sorrel this herb is subtle. The sprouts can be used for salads, and the leaves resemble parsley. This herb loves shady areas and will taste bitter when grown in the sun.
5. Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Holy basil is an excellent herb for brewing tea and gives off a heavenly aroma of liquorice, peppermint, cloves, and lemons. This herb flourishes in the sun and can be grown in a pot on the windowsill. It is easier to buy young plants since it can be tricky growing them from the seeds.
6. Korean Mint (Agastache Rugose)
A mix between basil and mint. The leaves have a distinct minty aroma with a touch of aniseed. Bees love this attractive plant that grows up to a meter. You can plant it in sunny or partially shaded areas with humus-rich soil. It is an excellent flavouring for fish stews and spicy dishes.
7. Houttuynia cordata
An excellent choice for growing in the margins of a pond. You can buy chameleon, which is white, green and pink or the more refined double white flower variety. It tastes anything between floral and fish sauce and smells like orange peel. It can be consumed raw or in a fish curry.
8. Par-Cel Cutting Celery
Par-cel is a cross between celery (not easily grown) and parsley (easily grown). These plants are produced for the leaves rather than the stems and taste sweeter than celery leaves. It is excellent for soups and stocks and very healthy. It can be planted in partial shade or sunny areas.