There is believed to be abut 100 species of thyme. All thymes are wonderfully aromatic. Garden or Common Thyme, which grows easily from seed or cuttings, is the variety generally used in cooking, although there are many types of this mint-family perennial.

Thyme is considered by many herbalist as the very nearly perfect useful herb. It ranks as one of the finest herbs of French cuisine. The general rule of using herbs in cooking is - when is doubt use thyme.

The Persians once nibbled fresh thyme as an appetizer. Some ancients Greeks though thyme gave one courage.

In the days of chivalry, ladies embroidered a symbolic sprig of thyme and a honey bee on their scarves, which they gave as favors to the bravest knights.

The dried flowers of thyme, like lavender, have been used to preserve linen from insects. The leaves and flowering tops are an ingredient in sachets.