Are Thyme Sprigs Edible?

Cooking With Fresh Thyme
Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a "sprig" of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact. ... Fresh thyme leaves are so small that they usually require no chopping.

What is the difference between thyme sprigs and thyme leaves?

A sprig, as defined above, will yield about 1/3 teaspoon of fresh leaves (loosely packed). Dried thyme and fresh thyme are interchangeable with some difference in flavor. ... Figure 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme leaf is equivalent to a fairly large sprig, such as the lower one in the photo above.

Which thyme is edible?

The green form is the best for culinary use. Known for its beautiful rose-purple flowers that bloom in early summer, caraway thyme (Thymus herba-barona) has a mild caraway flavor.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.