Basil is a type of plant of the Lamiaceae species. The name originates from the Greek language, where Basileus means king. The alternative name is sacred basil. Basil has a herby, yet somewhat sweet flavour. It is widely used in the Italian cuisine as well as in tomato dishes.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Chervil is a perennial plant of the Apiaceae. This type is grown everywhere and can grow up to one metre. Chervil bears cylindrical hairless fruit with a ‘beak’ half as long as the actual fruit. They flower from May until June.

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Chives is part of the garlic species and as such related to bulbous plant such as onion, leeks and garlic. It is a perennial plant, originating from Europe and North-Asia. It flowers in June and July with blue-pink-violet blossom. In Belgium and The Netherlands wild chives can be found. Chives has a refined onion flavour, but is also used to decorate dishes.

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Dill is a type of plant among the Apiaceae, related to aniseed-like herbs, such as fennel and chervil, and it has delicate needle-like leaves. This herb has a refined flavour and plays an important role in cuisines in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Germany, Poland and Russia.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Leaf celery is a type of celery that resembles parsley with green leaves. This garden herb however has a much stronger flavour. It is rather aggressively growing plant, which can grow to a height exceeding one metre. The plant can grow on virtually any soil and when the leaves are cut, new young leaves quickly start growing, which can also be harvested. Leaf celery can be used in many different ways in the kitchen. The most common use is in mash pots od soups, but this herb is also very suitable with chicken and potatoes. Leaf celery is grown under glass as well as in outside soil.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Also grown by:

• G. en W van Turenhout

Leaf parsley is a variant of the common curly parsley. The leaves are smooth and look more like celery or coriander. Leaf parsley has a more spicy flavour than common parsley. Different names, such as flat parsley or Italian parsley are sometimes used. The growing and use is comparable with that of curly parsley.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Lemon balm is a perennial plant of the Laminaceae. Originally this plant grew in Southern Europe. Bees love the flowers of the lemon balm. The light-green, soft, heart-shaped herb leaves are somewhat similar to mint leaves, but they are much smaller. The leaves have a strong lemon aroma and when used they have a fresh lemon flavour.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Lemon thyme, one of the mint species, originates from Southern Europe. The herb has gold-coloured leaves that have a strong lemon fragrance. Particularly because of this strong fragrance, they are preferred in certain cuisines. The small leaves are an excellent flavour provider for dishes such as stews.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Marjoram is a plant which is also known as wild marjoram or sweet marjoram. The wild flower is legally protected in The Netherlands. Marjoram originates from the Mediterranean. It has an intense flavour, that resembles thyme, but it is softer and sweeter. The herb is primarily used for processing sausages, but it also quite suitable for potato recipes, sauerkraut, minced meat, pork, game and poultry and in tomato sauce.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Mint is a species of perennial plants of the Laminaceae and originates from Asia. The many types of mint have strongly fragrant substances that are used as a fragrance and flavour provider in various products, including sweets, tea, tooth paste. Due to their strong fragrance peppermint and spear mint are most suitable as a cuisine herb. They go well with salads, soups and sauces.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Oregano is a plant that is also called wild marjoram or ginger mint. In The Netherlands it is mainly known from the Italian cuisine. Oregano grows in moderate climates, but the quantity of sunlight directly influences the flavour of the plant.

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Red basil is available as a seed or plant in garden centres. It is similar to common basil, but has a slightly stronger flavour

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Rosemary is a ligneous herb that is able to survive Dutch winters and can grow may grow in abundance. It originates from Southern Europe and Little Asia. Rosemary has a strong soapy flavour and is widely used to provide bathroom products with a fragrance. Rosemary is an old medicine to reinforce the brain and is a symbol for friendship and loyalty.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Sage is a plant, belonging to the Laminaceae. It is primarily used as a herb and known for the use in the Italian cuisine. The leaves are thick, grey and have a strong flavour. Real sage flowers in June and July with 2-3 centimetres long blue-purple, or sometimes white or pink flowers.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Savoury belongs to the Lamiaceae species, just as basil does. Two of the approximately 30 types are most widely used: the annual savoury (summer savoury) and the perennial, remaining winter savoury. They are very similar and both grow irregularly and unevenly, having weak, woody, branching stems. They have a slightly bitter flavour. The annual savoury’s flavour is sweeter and less spicy than the remaining savoury. The winter savoury’s leaf is darker and has a stronger, somewhat peppery flavour.

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Sorrel usually grows on acid soil, as weeds. Some types have edible leaves that are used in for instance, salads.

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Miscellaneous: January - December

Tarragon is a herb known because of the classic (French) cuisine. It originates from Central-Asia and has been used for food procession since the Middle Ages in Western Europe. Both the leaves and the flowers are edible.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December

Thyme is a plant, belonging to the Laminaceae. These are herb-like or ligneous plants with a strong soapy flavour, which at the same time is fresh and lightly bitter. In general the plants grown around the Mediterranean and in Asia. Only three species are known to grow in our area. Thyme is widely applied and goes particularly well with strong ingredients like fatty meat, potatoes or in combination with potatoes.

Availability

Miscellaneous: January - December