Those who have tasted juicy and aromatic at least once wondered what kind of seasoning makes the taste of this meat dish so unique? In order not to beat around the bush - know that this fragrant seasoning is thyme or thyme in a dried form.
It is he who has a magnetic smell that fills the minced meat with a real fragrance! Thyme, as a spice, is very popular in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, etc., as it grows on the slopes and in the steppes of these countries.
Preparing thyme for the winter is as easy as shelling pears - you just need to dry it in the oven or in an electric dryer.
Composition
- 1 dense bunch of thyme stems
How to dry thyme
1. Disassemble the collected or purchased bunch of thyme into stems and gently rinse them in water, being careful not to wash out all the color. If the thyme blooms, then dry the flowers along with the leaves - they have more aroma. Place the plant stems on a baking sheet of parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and dry the thyme for about 30 minutes at 100C, while slightly opening the appliance door.
2. It is not necessary to dry it longer, as the thin leaves of the plant can burn out. Try to squeeze them with two fingers - if they break with a crunch, then drying is already finished. If they are slightly damp, then dry the stems for another 5-10 minutes.
3. Then pass each stem through your palm, squeezing it. Thus, you remove all the dried leaves from the beginning of the stem, slightly crushing them, and the stem of the plant itself will remain bare. Just lay a sheet of paper on the table or pass the sheets into a deep, dry container.
Collection and further preparation of the plant for use
Thyme has a second name - creeping thyme (what is the difference between thyme and thyme can be found out). Its name is based on appearance plants, because thyme is a small creeping shrub with small lilac flowers... It grows in small clusters in remote areas, which causes some inconvenience for its collection.
Interesting! for the body was known to our grandmothers!
Due to the lack of popularity of using herbs, self-collection at home (as a rule, people purchase ready-made dried bundles), not many people know when to cut thyme for drying. But people know least of all!
Important! Harvesting and drying directly affects its preservation useful properties, since further plant growth leads to the loss of micronutrients important for treatment, such as vitamins C, B, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, organic acids, tannins and many other chemical components.
Thyme: preparation and drying
For a long time, the Slavs have used herb to prepare various decoctions and conduct magic rituals... The smell of grass, according to legends, is able to ward off evil spirits from the house. And in modern megacities, houses and apartments are sometimes found with bunches of dried plants near front door... Even for rituals and fumigation of houses, our ancestors observed the rules of cutting and.
When to harvest thyme for drying
It is customary to collect thyme on the eve of a light Orthodox holiday Trinity. Today this custom is somewhat forgotten, so people simply start gathering in early June in the morning. In principle, this is also correct. At this time, the plant has fully grown, has blossomed its beautiful flowers, and the presence of dew will allow you to "take" the thyme home.
It is only necessary to collect the tops of the grass - these include the inflorescence itself and the small length of the stem. During collection, always use a hand pruner or a conventional knife. It is not recommended to uproot the plant, since there are no useful properties in the root system, which means that it is not worth "destroying" it.
After assembly, creeping thyme is laid out on cotton cloth in the shade and without blowing by the wind. The layout is carried out not in a thick layer so that it dries faster. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Otherwise, you will not achieve drying, but only a slow withering.
Important! If you did not have time to prepare the collection in early summer, you can do this in late summer and early autumn. At this time, the whole range of nutrients is also present in the grass.
Wash or not wash thyme before drying
When the thyme has already been harvested, many people ask the question: "Is it necessary to wash the grass before drying?" Often this question arises in people who "switched" to a healthy lifestyle, and for the first time turned to collecting and drying plants. The plant should not be washed under any circumstances! There are several reasons here:
- Thyme must be collected in remote areas from pollution - roads, houses and other buildings.
- It is better to collect on forest edges, glades.
- Flowers should be clean, free of dust and other small contaminants.
- The washed thyme during the drying process will only start to rot, which will render the plant unusable for use.
Observe the presented simple rules to take advantage of a financially economical, but at the same time very useful medicine. Proper drying of thyme is the key to effective use.
Savory not only improves the taste of dishes, but also has medicinal properties. "World of Vegetables" will share with you the options for harvesting this spicy plant.
Savory in nature
In nature, there are more than thirty species - they all differ in a long flowering period, and small flowers rich in nectar (the plant is considered excellent honey plant). Savory belongs to the family of lamb (labiate). It is an essential oil and spice plant native to the eastern Mediterranean.
Savory is represented in Russia thirteen kinds(among them, mountain savory and Crimean savory can be distinguished - these species are used for food and are used as a remedy).
Garden savory (summer savory or scraper) is grown in vegetable gardens. It is used in fresh food, it is used to enrich the taste of marinades, and it is dried.
Also known for its rich gamut medicinal properties of this plant. Do not lose sight of the peculiar beauty of savory - it is often used to decorate the garden.
Harvesting and drying savory
Fresh young leaves located on the tops of plants are used - they have a more delicate taste and aroma.
Plants are massively harvested before flowering or at the very beginning- later the leaves acquire a pronounced bitterness. Plants are cut (mowed) in dry weather, leaving about 15 cm above the ground.
Stems with leaves (and with flowers, if the collection was carried out during the flowering period) are tied in bunches small size, hung and dried under a canopy.
It is also allowed to dry savory by spreading it out in the attic or under a canopy (without tying it into bunches). In both cases, a free flow of air is required for successful drying. Dried raw materials (they fully retain their characteristic aroma) are stored in a dark and dry place.
Savory oil
The oil can be infused both on dry savory and on fresh raw materials (it is recommended to leave cut plants in the shade for a while so that they wilt slightly). Often, along with savory, others are also used spices(to create an optimal composition).
The raw materials are placed in a dry glass container and poured with oil to the very neck - the air that gets into the jar will provoke product oxidation that will spoil its taste.
After filling the container, its contents are stirred with a wooden stick and closed. When using dried savory, the oil is slightly preheated.
The proportions are individual, but it is better to put very little grass than to overdo it with it. Insist oil in a warm place for two to four weeks. The product is then filtered.
Savory vinegar
Vinegar - 250 ml
Dried basil - 1 tsp
Fresh savory - a few leaves
Bay leaf - 2 pcs.
Basil, savory, bay leaves are placed in glass containers. The raw materials are poured with vinegar, the container is closed and placed in a dark place for two weeks. Then the vinegar is filtered and poured into a glass bottle.
Please note: the proportions and composition of the herbal collection may vary in any order. For example, some people don't like scent. bay leaf- laurel can be replaced with another herb. It is also quite acceptable to use only savory for flavoring.
Savory wine
Wanting to give the wine a spicy aroma, use the following proportion: add 10 g of savory to 500 ml of the drink.
Spicy salt in savory oil
To obtain a salt with a pleasant spicy aroma, savory essential oil (EO) is used. Most often, essential oils of rosemary, tarragon, sage, parsley are added with it. For 1 tbsp. only 1-2 drops of oil are consumed.
The spicy herb has a pronounced aroma and medicinal properties, however, it is far from being carried out on an industrial scale. If you want to take a closer look at this original plant, be sure to settle it on your personal plot.
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Creeping thyme is one of the wonderful honey plants, from which bees make amazingly fragrant honey. The dry plant, along with other herbs, is used in the rite of incense in churches.
You should know especially that thyme can actually affect the body both exciting and relaxing, which depends on the dosage and method of application. Fresh herb is an excellent addition and seasoning to the diet, in particular, its twigs give a peculiar taste to the sauce, first and second courses (especially peas and beans).
In addition to the above, they perfectly eliminate the effects of insect bites. Thyme hanging in the closet will always prevent moths. Fresh herb has long been used in pickling tomatoes, cucumbers, squash. Thyme spice is practically irreplaceable when preparing game and fish dishes.
Thyme: preparation and drying
How to prepare thyme for tea
As stated in the named article, thyme blooms in June (second half of the month) and July (first half). Raw material collection medicinal plant it is allowed to do it twice: during flowering (preferably at the final stage of the flowering process in July) and after the appearance of fruits (end of August). However, the first harvest is more preferable from all points of view (curative efficacy of thyme, preserving the guarantee of a future harvest, and others). On large areas use mowers, for individual fees - scissors, secateurs and knives.
When harvesting, branches with flowers are cut (with stems possible), but, as a rule, above 15 cm from the surface of the earth, since shorter cutting or pulling out plants with roots will ruin the next year's harvest.
How to properly dry thyme for the winter
Drying is carried out only in natural conditions in the shade, for which they use ventilated sheds, haylings, sheds. Raw materials dried in warm and dry weather without direct sunlight have the most healing properties.
Special conditions are imposed on the storage of prepared raw materials: only in fabric bags or glass cans at a stable room temperature, the drops in which provoke the formation of condensation. Preservation should not exceed two years.
Thyme tea: medicinal properties
Thyme teas are very popular because they (in addition to the usual energetic effect on the body) have various healing effects. When coughing, honey is added to them, for stomach (intestinal) diseases - sugar is excluded.
Thyme: how to make a cough
Boiling water (0.2 l) is poured into dry leaves (5 g), a half-hour water bath is made, cooled, filtered, cooled in the refrigerator (while the medicine lasts up to 10 days). Consumption in a dose of 30 ml (with preheating) - twice a day without reference to food intake. The expectoration effect after the start of the intake will appear on the second day.
Tea for the elimination of general nervousness
5 g of flowers and leaves are mixed with a normal dose of tea (any). Brewed in a teapot 0.3 liters of boiling water (with the lid closed, the infusion lasts 20 minutes). This dose will be enough for two people. Drink 150 ml before bedtime (once). The healing effect appears on the third day. Severity of admission is not necessary.
Thyme tea for colds and colds bronchitis
Half a liter of boiling water is poured into 10 g of grass, they soar for 5 minutes in the bath, give 10 minutes of infusion, filter. Reception of 70 ml is carried out 5 times daily in a warm form (it is allowed before a meal - half an hour, and also after two hours after it).
Thyme for the prevention of influenza
Boiling water (0.2 l) is poured into 10 g of a herbal mixture (1: 1) of thyme and sage, the infusion is carried out in a thermos (2 hours). Drink four times daily at a dose of 70 ml for the prevention of influenza, with influenza bronchitis and laryngitis.
Treatment of eye diseases
The progression of myopia, cataracts, glaucoma (especially in old age) is stopped by thyme with honey. A pound of honey (liquid) is poured into fresh grass (70 g). The medicine will be ready in a week. Daily intake of it (inside) 25 g (three times a day) will restore ocular metabolic functions while inhibiting degenerative processes in the eyes.
Thyme for alcoholism
The combination of thyme and wormwood allows you to completely defeat alcoholism. Water (0.25 ml) is poured into 10 g of their mixture (4: 1), kept for 5 minutes in a water bath, infused for half an hour, filtered. Three times a day is taken in a dose of 20 mg. The treatment course lasts up to three months. Usually, after drinking the decoction for half a month, patients begin to show a rejection to alcohol.
Thyme oil: application
It is sold in pharmacies and is widely used in cosmetology to make shampoos and conditioners to preserve hair. It restores hair that is weakened and affected by dyes and perms, copes well with nail fungus. Its hot compresses relieve rheumatic pains. Thyme oil stops rotting processes in meat. For example, in meat broth it keeps bacteria from multiplying for three days.
It restores normal digestion, and therefore shows healing in diseases of the stomach and intestines. Oil restores the body after illnesses. However, when using it, it must certainly be diluted, otherwise burns are possible. Moreover, with bathroom reception it must be dissolved beforehand. It activates the body's ability to resist infections due to the increase in white cells in the blood, which is required to recover from illness. For purulent skin inflammations, dermatitis, eczema, a mixture of oil (3 g), a neutral nourishing cream (5 g) is used.
Contraindications to the use of thyme
These include almost all exacerbated diseases of the stomach, kidneys, liver. It is undesirable to use for pregnant women and during lactation. In exceptional cases, thyme preparations are allowed for children under the age of three years. Individual intolerance to thyme preparations is infrequently manifested, which is due to the rich presence of essential oils in it.
Thyme: preparation and drying (video)
The medicinal plant thyme has been known to people since ancient times as a wonderful remedy for many diseases.
It can be found everywhere and even grown in your personal plot, in a place protected from the wind, but at the same time well-lit by sunlight.
Nowadays, thyme is gaining tremendous attention and is also used for medicinal purposes, as before.
When to harvest thyme
This amazingly beautiful and very fragrant plant blooms from May to August. And it is at this time that it should be harvested for the winter.
The procurement process has several secrets and nuances that you should be aware of.
Thyme should be harvested in sunny dry weather from 8 am to 5 pm;
In order to carefully cut off twigs with leaves and flowers, you should use sharp knife or sickle;
Thick lignified shoots that are near the ground should not be touched, and even more so, the plant should not be pulled out along with the root;
The ideal time to harvest thyme is June and July.
How to dry thyme
In order to properly dry this plant, you should adhere to some rules:
- Thyme should not be dried in the sun, only in the shade and in a well-ventilated area (under a canopy or in the attic).
- Do not dry the thyme in the dryer, as during this procedure valuable essential oils contained in this plant.
- Most often, the plant is laid out on a clean cloth, or suspended in small bunches.
- The grass should be stirred periodically and should be done very carefully.
- The finished, well-dried plant should easily detach from the stem.
- After the thyme is thoroughly dried, it should be sorted out, i.e. separate rough and blackened stems and stems that are covered with bloom.
Thyme should be stored in bags made of cotton fabric. For more long-term storage(but not more than 2 years old) glass containers are suitable.
Now you know when to harvest thyme, how to dry and store it. And what is the benefit of this plant and how to use it correctly at home?
The healing properties of thyme
1. Anti-inflammatory effect on the whole body.
2. Antiseptic, which helps to destroy all harmful microbes.
3. Expectorant effect, especially helpful in chronic bronchitis.
4. Pain reliever for people suffering from recurrent headaches and joint pains.
5. Sedative action, helps to normalize nervous state and improve sleep.
6. Regenerating, for large and small wounds, bruises.
Tinctures made from the plant are actively used for ingestion, inhalation and in the form of health-improving compresses.
Thyme helps people suffering from hard drinking, children with severe coughs, women with recurrent pain.
Baths based on medicinal plant help people with gout disease or articular rheumatism.
If a person suffers from bad breath, then it is necessary to take teas with thyme. It will improve stomach function, freshen breath, and also help stop heartburn.
Rinse the head with a decoction of thyme in case of severe pain, or tie a few leaves to the forehead, which helps to get rid of migraines.
The plant is effective for people suffering from diseases of the bladder. It is good to use plant-based essential oils for the prevention of colds.
How to cook thyme
1. To make tinctures at home, you need to pour boiling water over one small spoonful of the plant, let it brew and store in a thermos. Take a teaspoon three times a day.
2. To prepare an alcohol tincture with thyme you will need: dry plant and 70% alcohol. The herb is infused with alcohol for several days. It is taken 15 drops three times a del after or before meals.
3. To prepare the broth, you need one small spoonful of dry herb for two cups of boiling water. Heat everything over low heat for a few minutes, let it brew and strain. Take for colds, coughs or inflammation at least half a glass once a day.
4. Thyme is consumed as regular tea. To do this, the plant is brewed in a teapot and honey or sugar is added to taste, directly into the mug.
5. Plant-based baths are used once a week for a general healing effect. To prepare water for the procedure, you need to take 400 gr. dry thyme and pour 4 liters of boiling water. Insist for 15 minutes, then strain and add to the bath.
Precautionary measures
In general, like any medicinal plant, thyme has its own list of contraindications. Therefore, it is best to consult your doctor before using it.