A Trusty Herbs Guide, Every Kitchen Should Have One

By Peter Williams

Have you ever found yourself wondering, what herb is that? If so, then it's time to get an herbs guide to aid in your new cooking talent. An herbs guide can explain everything you need to know about herbs, including how they are grown, what they are used for in cooking and other important facts.

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.

It is also recommended to treat problems with vertigo, depression, senility and inner ear disturbances. Licorice is also mentioned as a healthy herb, one that has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is known to ease arthritis and prevent Alzheimer's disease and is regularly found in curry dishes.

For Extra Taste & Improved Health, Eat More Herbs

There's much more to using a herbs guide than your health, many varieties are used exclusively for cooking. If you're wanting a 'minty' taste to you Italian cooking, use Basil, for a spicy, gutsy flavor, oregano is the one. Other varieties used in the kitchen include chives, cilantro, dill, hyssop & mint.

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.

The Kitchen Cousins... Herbs & Spices

Ever thought about the differences between herbs & spices? Both of these words are commonly used to refer to the drier portions of the plant & they are both responsible for making food taste better. Herbs are more aligned with green leafier plants & spices with more aromatic plants like cinnamon.Spices do better in warm environments whereas herbs prefer a more temperate climate. Generally speaking spices now includes herbs & extracts

One way to significantly improve your cooking skills is to learn all you can about herbs, and the best tool for doing that is a good herbs guide. Herbs can improve most dishes and you'll be healthier for it. - 31875

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