The best kitchen herbs you can easily grow outdoors and indoors

We use them for cooking and baking. They are also popular with growers and gardeners. Without them, nothing would really taste good at all. Kitchen herbs simply belong in the kitchen, and they have done since ancient times. The ancient Romans livened up their food and drink with lavender, rosemary or garlic. In Egypt, every tomb contains a vessel full of herbs or spices that the pharaoh took with him to the afterlife. Medicinal plants are welcome in any era. So which kitchen herbs should you not be without?

Garden angelica

It comes from northern and central Europe and has grown in our region since time immemorial. You will most often find it near water, so try looking by a stream or pond. It also grows in woodland, by mountain streams and in meadows. It is a large plant that grows up to 2 metres tall. Its flowers are greenish white, and it has a sweet aniseed taste and scent. Interestingly, it bears fruit only once in its life and then dies. It is excellent in soups and various salads, but you can also make tea from it, as it purifies the blood and is a diuretic.

Wild garlic

In recent years it has seen a real boom in popularity and use. Unfortunately, it is most often confused with lily of the valley. The taste is delicious but not as strong as classic Czech garlic. You can use it almost anywhere, in fresh salads as well as soups and sauces, or simply on fresh bread. Some people eat it in front of the television instead of crisps. Wild garlic is a herb with a high content of vitamin C and iron. So if you have problems with your blood or blood formation, it is definitely worth using.

Sweet basil

Almost everyone recognises basil by its unmistakable aroma. It is also the most widely used herb in our country. If you pick fresh leaves, add them to salads, pesto or pasta. It is also excellent with tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil. It originally comes from India. Grow it in a warm, sunny spot, which is also why it thrives in a Mediterranean climate. It mainly contains volatile and essential oils. You can store it dried or frozen.

Lovage

It is one of the herbs that have made a comeback in the kitchen. It has a distinctive flavour, which is why it is known as Czech Maggi. Lovage is an easy way to season soups, salads, spreads and sauces. It goes very well with mutton and fish, for example. However, use it sparingly, as its strong flavour could easily ruin your culinary creation.  

Tarragon

The most typical herb in France. Its taste is slightly bitter, but it smells of aniseed. Use tarragon to season egg dishes, fish, poultry or salads, for example. Tarragon vinegar is also very popular, and you can use it as one of the ingredients in a marinade for meat intended for grilling.

Coriander

The advantage of this herb is that you can use all of it, from the seeds and leaves to the root. It has a very strong aroma, which means it does not suit everything. In Czech cooking, however, it is popular in combination with mushrooms and various sauces. The ground seed is added to sweet baked goods, such as gingerbread, and to smoked meat products. It is best, though, with fish and poultry. Do not be afraid to use it with pulses, potatoes and cabbage too. It is an essential part of Indian cuisine, so add it to curry and to any kind of meat. Put fresh leaves in salads.

Marjoram

Another popular Czech herb. It originally grew in the Mediterranean. It was already cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. You will especially appreciate it in potato pancakes and potato soup. It is a common ingredient in smoked meats and pâtés. It is also added to ragouts and goulashes, various stuffings and pulse dishes. Besides stimulating the appetite, it also helps with women’s health problems. Try a tea made from it, for example, which can help relieve headaches. However, you should definitely not use it during pregnancy.

Rosemary

Rosemary will bring a unique aroma to your kitchen. It is most often used for grilling or other cooked vegetables, and with fish, seafood, and roast and braised meats. Try it with game too. It is not difficult to grow, and if you put it in an attractive designer flowerpot in the kitchen, it will give you nothing but pleasure and stand out. Just remember that it does not like the cold, so watch out for frost.

Thyme

A herb popular all over the world that you can add to game, but also to courgettes or tomatoes. Its advantage is that it makes heavier dishes easier to digest. It is also highly aromatic. It is most often used to make marinades for chicken and fish, and in sauces and soups. Try herb butter too. It is an essential ingredient of herbes de Provence.

You should definitely grow herbs for your kitchen. Make use of those that relieve stress, too. Growing them is not the same as growing black-eyed Susan, for example, but they are certainly more beneficial.