It is better not to freeze some of the popular herbs, as this will cause them to lose a great deal of their aroma. Thyme, on the other hand, does not harm freezing - its taste is fully preserved. Frozen thyme is used as well as fresh.
Freeze thyme properly
The Mediterranean herb can either already be chopped up or frozen in whole stalks. However, you should not use the thyme stalks later for cooking, as they are inedible due to the high proportion of bitter substances. They mask the fine aroma of the leaves and flowers. Harvest the fresh thyme, wash it thoroughly and then pat it dry carefully. Now you can fill it in freezer bags (whole stalks) or another suitable, sealable container. Ice cube trays, which you fill with finely chopped thyme and a little water, are particularly practical - the portioned thyme cubes can later be used for cooking.
Practical: Freeze thyme in olive oil
Instead of water, fresh and chopped thyme can also be frozen in olive oil, of course also in portions as ice cubes. The herbal oil is very suitable for frying (e.g. thyme potatoes), stewing or for refining salads. Oil and herbs thaw quickly at room temperature.
Prepare and freeze the Mediterranean herbal mixture
The herb mixture known as Herbs de Provence is now an indispensable part of almost every household, as this aromatic mix spices up numerous dishes. You can also put together this mixture of Mediterranean herbs yourself and then freeze it - then you always have enough seasoning for stews and stews at home. Which herbs you choose is entirely up to your taste. You should only wash them well, pat dry and chop them up well. A little olive oil also ensures a better shelf life. The following herbs traditionally belong to the herbs of Provence: thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, sage, chervil, tarragon, lavender, fennel, savory, parsley, marjoram or lovage (maggi herb). Also finely chopped onions and garlic go well with this.
tips and tricks
The fine leaves of thyme are easier to harvest if you cut off the whole stalk and then freeze them immediately. The frozen leaves can be easily stripped off - without time-consuming plucking. The method also works with other herbs, e.g. B. basil or rosemary, excellent.
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:
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