Chervil and Parsley - They both belong to the umbelliferous plant family. They both look very similar to each other. And yet there are plenty of differences that separate them. Mix-up was yesterday!

The smell test

Imagine you are standing at a market stall with numerous herbs. They need chervil and are too proud to ask the seller. Now there are two herbs that could be chervil…

You can easily distinguish chervil from flat-leaf parsley by smell. To do this, take a leaf and rub it with your fingers. Chervil has an anise-like to fennel-like and slightly sweet smell. Parsley smells spicy and peppery.

The taste test

At the latest when it comes to taste, a clear difference between chervil and parsley becomes apparent. Chervil tastes sweet and its smell is reminiscent of aniseed. The taste of parsley is unmistakable and subtly hot.

An eye for detail: the leaves

If you don't dare to crush or taste the leaves, take a closer look at the leaves. The leaves of chervil are fern-like and more filigree and finely serrated than those of parsley.

The flowers and seeds in comparison

Anyone who grows chervil and parsley in their own garden will be able to enjoy the flowers if they do not cut the herbs in summer. Here further differences between parsley and chervil become apparent.

Both are umbellifers. The flowers of the parsley are yellowish. On the other hand, the flowers of the chervil are pure white. The petals of chervil resemble small hearts and are not connected to each other. The individual flowers of the parsley appear much smaller and inconspicuous. When sowing, you will be able to identify the following characteristics:

  • Chervil: black, elongated, extremely narrow
  • Parsley: brownish, small, crescent-shaped

Similarities between the two herbs

Like chervil, parsley prefers to grow in a sunny location. Both herbs are ideal for dishes such as:

  • vegetable dishes
  • soups and stews
  • eggs
  • poultry
  • potatoes
  • fish

tips and tricks

Anyone who grows chervil and also wants to grow parsley should note that chervil does not like to share its territory with other plants. A generous planting distance is therefore important.

Category:

Vegetable garden