Fines herbes
Herbs give food a unique flavour and add an exotic touch to your favourite dishes. The wonderful world of herbs offers a wealth of mouthwatering surprises!
Fines herbes
Dill
Fresh taste with a hint of anise
Uses: Fish and marinades; fresh in melon salad
Sweet Basil (traditional)
Strong lemon and mint aroma
Uses: Pasta, tomato sauce, and pesto; fresh leaves in sandwiches
Lemon Basil
Mild lemon flavour
Uses: Pastries, muffins, and stir-fries; fresh leaves in cocktails
Purple Basil
Light peppery taste
Uses: Salads, soups, and pesto; and desserts, fresh leaves with tomato brochettes
Nufar Basil
Subtle, delicate aroma
Uses:Soups, sandwiches, and tomato sauce; fresh leaves on pizza
Thai Basil
Light aniseed flavour
Uses:Stir-fries and Asian dishes; fresh leaves in spring rolls
Chervil
Very mild, slightly aniseed taste
Uses:Soups, vegetables, and salads; garnish on mushroom pizza
Chives
Mild green onion aroma
Uses:Salads and dressing; fresh stalks in burritos and wraps
Coriander
Strong flavour with a hint of citrus
Uses:Stir-fries, curries, and Asian soups; fresh in mango salsa
Tarragon
Sweet and spicy with anise and vanilla notes
Uses:Chicken, fish, and quiches; fresh sprigs to flavour vinegar
Bay Leaves
Mild, slightly woody taste
Uses:Stews and sauces; whole leaves in spaghetti sauce
Marjoram
Peppery mint aroma reminiscent of oregano
Uses:ed meat and wild game; chopped in croquettes or meatballs
Lemon Balm
Mild and delicate lemon aroma
Uses:Meat, poultry, and fish; chopped over a mackerel fillet in white wine
Mint
Fresh, lively flavour
Uses:Lamb and fatty meats (e.g., goose); fresh in fruit salad
Oregano
Pepper and delicate lemon taste
Uses:Pasta, pizza, and salads; chopped in dips and croque-monsieur
Parsley
Taste of lightly peppered celery
Uses:Salads, soups, and stews; chopped in citrus salads
Rosemary
Sharp flavour with pine notes
Uses:Grilled meat, roasts, and stews; as brochette skewers for meat, fish, and fruit kabobs
Savory
Peppery scent reminiscent of mint and thyme
Uses:Chicken and soups; garnish for baked potatoes with sour cream
Sage
Bold taste with woody notes
Uses:Italian-style pork and veal; chopped in meat stuffing
Thyme
Mint and peppery lemon taste
Uses:Stews; fresh sprigs as poultry stuffing
Sorrel
Fresh, slightly tangy aroma
Uses:Soups; fresh leaves in a green salad
When should you add the herbs?
In general, it’s best to add herbs at the end of cooking, because heat alters the flavour and aroma. However, Mediterranean herbs (oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, sage, bay leaves, and marjoram) stand up well to simmering and long cooking times. For cold dishes, it’s best to add herbs well before they’re served, because cold decreases the flavour intensity and slows aroma development.
Chef’s secret
One part dried herb is equal to three times fresh herb. For example, where a recipe calls for 5 mL (1 tsp.) of dried thyme, it can be replaced with 15 mL (1 tbsp.) of fresh thyme.
What kind of packages?
Each form they come in—whether potted or in bunches, packages, tubes, or jars—has its advantages. There’s something for everyone.
Potted Herbs
Potted herbs brighten up the kitchen and are always fresh and close at hand. The more you cut them, the more they grow—and they have so many uses!
Herb Bunches
If you like having herbs around the house, buy bunches and store them in the crisper of your refrigerator to enjoy their incomparable aroma for several days. To keep them from wilting and turning black, be sure not to wash herbs until you’re ready to use them.
Packaged Fresh Herbs
If you want a ready supply and plenty of variety, packaged fresh herbs are the perfect choice for creating flavour blends. There is a wide selection to choose from!
Take the opportunity to discover all the subtle flavour nuances of our broad variety of basil, which offers an amazing range of aroma profiles!
Herbs in Tubes and Jars
For maximum flavour with minimum effort, opt for herbs in tubes or jars. No need to wash, peel, or chop—just choose the one you want to give your dishes a boost of flavour! Use them like pesto in pasta salads, on meat, poultry, or seafood, or even on bread croutons with a little cheese.
Tasty trios
You’ll find blends that contain the perfect amount of fresh herbs for one recipe and offer ideal flavour combinations for poultry, pasta, stew, and seafood dishes.