A Herbs Guide is a Valuable Tool For Every Cook

There are so many varieties of herbs that it’s sometimes difficult to identfiy which is which. If this has happened to you, wouldn’t an herbs guide be handy to have. This practical tool will allow you to positively identify the herbs your are looking and your cooking will have that unique flavor.

Here’s Some Popular Varieties

One herb that is top of any chef’s list is garlic, it has a ton of flavor and it’s one of the healthier varieties. This herb is one of the most popular & would feature in any herbs guide as not only is it a mainstay in just about every kitchen, it also has many health benefits like prevention cancer & heart issues.

Another beneficial herb in terms of health is Ginkgo Biloba which assists those affected by macular degeneration. Another is Hawthorne Berry, this one can ease a heart condition & slow down a high heart rate by opening up the arteries around the heart.

Sufferers of vertigo, depression & a number of other problems can be treated by it as well. Would you believe Licorice is considered a herb with health benefits, it helps with antiviral issues. To help with arthritis & Alzheimers & as a compliment to curry, Tumeric is the obvious choice here.

Herbs Are Tasty and Healthy

However, cooking with a guide to herbs is not just about healthy eating. Some herbs are primarily used for their fantastic taste. Basil offers a popular minty taste to Italian dishes while oregano adds a spicy robust taste. Other popular types of herbs for dining pleasure include chives, cilantro, dill, hyssop, mint, ginger, parsley, rosemary and thyme.

Herbs used in cooking are generally added in small quantities and their main use is to increase the taste without increasing substance. These herbs differ from other varieties like greens, spices, berries, etc and your herbs guide should explain these in detail. A portion of the kitchen herbs are really shrubs, Rosemary being one such example. And some or extracts from the bay laurel tree, while others are from non wooden (botanic) plants.

Spices and Herbs

In case you’re wondering about the differences between spices and herbs, both terms have been used to describe dried parts of a plant, and both greatly improve the taste of food. As far as differences, spices are usually associated with aromatic plants such as pepper and cinnamon, whereas herbs tend to be associated with greener and leafier plants like mint and rosemary. Spices tend to grow in warmer temperatures, and herbs in more temperature parts. Over time however, spices became a general term that occasionally encompasses herbs, blends and other extracts.

There are so many varieties of herbs available for cooking and if your wish is to improve your cooking, then learning about them is a great place to start. Many of the most common ones have beautiful flavors plus are very healthy. The best tool for learning all about these terrific plants is an herbs guide.

Peter Williams is a mad herb gardener & loves spreading the ‘herb word’… so for more great information about a herbs guide run, don’t walk to www.WhatAreHerbs.com