The best herbs of Provence

On a Provençal trail, you can enjoy hiking as you would anywhere in the world, with one added dimension: smell. The hills are covered with herbs that we are normally used to seeing on the plate, like rosemary. As your feet brush by shrubs of thyme or lavender, the land releases their magical scents.

provence landscape house mountain ste victoire

To people in Provence, the idea of eating lavender may sound strange (that is more of an English innovation). But the use of other herbs is a key to Provençal cuisine. A sprinkle of thyme makes all the difference between a simple vegetable dish and a real feast. They are constantly used, so they circulate through the veins of the Provençal with every heartbeat.

Herbes de Provence

This famous combination is simply magical. You can throw it on anything and it will taste Provençal. Vegetables, cheese, meats, fish, sauces, all take on an sunny accent when they meet this blend.

herbes de provence, herbs de provence jars

At markets, you sometimes see merchants throw handful of the Herbes on their grills to attract customers to their roasted chickens. In the US, if you apply this trick to barbecues, you're sure to open your guests' appetites.

What is the genuine combination of herbes de Provence? There are many variations. We make ours with the most classic combination: rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram and savory.

Rosemary

rosemary provence

Rosemary grows all around the Mediterranean. It's astonishing how much of it you see growing in the wild in Provence. You'd like to take it all home with you, but even if you filled your pockets you wouldn't make a dent into some shrubs, which can be three feet tall!

Rosemary potatoes and rosemary chicken are two of these things we're glad we don't have to live without. Rosemary is also delicious with lamb and grilled vegetables. It's a great barbecue companion, and it gives a beautiful aroma to home made breads.

Thyme

thyme provence

Thyme is the most popular herb in Provençal cuisine. Unlike rosemary's, its bushes don't grow much higher than andkle-high, and it's some work to separate the tiny leaves from the branches.

Thyme is used as a herbal tea by Provençal grandmas to help digestion. But first and foremost it is a versatile cooking herb, delicious for seasoning just about anything---from the most simple tomato sauce to fish, poultry, red meats and game.

Other Herbs and Spices

Tarragon and basil round up our herb collection.

We also carry sea salt and black peppercorn in grinder bottles.