Herbs de Provence
Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and More

Herbs de Provence, or Herbes de Provence, to use the correct French spelling, denotes a mixture of different cooking herbs native to Provence, in the south of France. Which particular herbs you find in a herbs de Provence mix can vary, but in theory they are all herbs you would find growing in the Mediterranean region of France.

Amazing Herbs

When we lived in Corsica we always had a garden, and I quickly learned how tough cultivating the Mediterranean soil could be. There is a little bit of dirt on the island, but it is for the most part one big rock. Despite these poor conditions, you can always count on certain things growing in the soil - they are well adapted to these conditions. Among these plants are: rosemary, thyme, sage, and lavender.

Herbes de Provence

Rosemary

Lavender

When you use some of these herbs, you might like to recall how rugged and strong some of the plants are that they come from.

List of Herbs de Provence

Here's a list of what you might find in a mixture of herbs de Provence along with their French name.

• Thyme (Thym)
• Wild Thyme (Serpolet)
• Marjoram (Marjolaine)
• Oregano (Origan)
• Rosemary (Romarin)
• Basil (Basilic)
• Chervil (Cerfeuil)
• Savory (Sarriette)
• Lavender (Lavande)
• Fennel (Fenouil)
• Bay Leaf (Laurier)

Make Your Own Mix

Many herbs these days sold as Herbes de Provence aren't actually grown in Provence, and some people gripe that packaged herb mixes lack in flavor. If you are able to grow some of these herbs yourself, you could mix them together however you wished and call them Herbes de Provence. Package them yourself in a pretty jar and you have a very nice gift to offer a friend.

Cookng With Herbs

You can use these herbs to flavor just about any savory dish. I always have a large jar on hand and when in doubt, I add a teaspoon or two (or more) to whatever I'm cooking. It is perfect to sprinkle on grilled foods and you don't need to limit its use to just French recipes either.

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