Chervil is a delicate annual herb with light green, finely divided, fern-like leaves that resemble parsley. It has a mild, subtle flavor with hints of anise or licorice. In late spring to early summer, chervil produces small, white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters. It grows best in cool, shaded locations and prefers rich, moist soil. Commonly used in French cuisine, chervil enhances the flavor of poultry, eggs, seafood, and vegetable dishes, and is a key ingredient in fines herbes blends.
Varieties: Crispum, Curled, and Plain (Common Chervil)
RELATED PRODUCTS
Basil
Basil is perhaps the most popular and widely used culinary herb. It is a tender annual, aromatic plant with a spicy odor and flavor. It grows 12-18 inches tall and foliage color can range from green to purple. Foliage size can vary from large lettuce-like leaves to very small leaves, half inch in size.
It is a herb in the mint family that has a strong sweet aroma making it ideal for seasoning food. It is mostly used to flavor soups, stews, tomato dishes, meat, game, fish, egg dishes, herb butters and herb vinegars. It also has some medicinal benefits, including its use as a tonic to aid in digestion.
Varieties: African Blue, Amethyst, Ararat, Aristotle, Blue Spice, Christmas, Cinnamon, Crimson King, Dolce Fresca, Greek, Red Ball, holy Tea, Italian Large Leaf, Jolina, Lemon, Lime, Magical Michael, Mammoth, Oriental Breeze, Persian, Piccolino, Queen of Sheba, Red Genovese, Red Rubin, try Me, Spice Globe, Sweet, Sweet Thai, Thai Magic, Thai (red stem)
Marjoram
Marjoram is a tender perennial herb, often grown as an annual in cooler climates, with small, oval, gray-green leaves and a sweet, aromatic scent. It forms a bushy mound and produces clusters of tiny white or pale pink flowers in mid to late summer. The flavor is warm, slightly citrusy, and more delicate than oregano, to which it is closely related. Marjoram is commonly used to season meats, sausages, soups, stews, and Mediterranean dishes, and is excellent in herb blends and dressings.
Varieties: Sweet Marjoram, (Origanum majorana), Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), and Pot Marjoram (Origanum onites).
Oregano
Oregano is a culinary and medicinal herb from the mint family. It has been used in medicine and cooking for thousands of years. It adds flavor, and it may have a number of health benefits. Oregano is used either fresh or dried to flavor dishes. It is a typical herb in Italian cooking and goes wonderfully with tomatoes, salads, cheeses, vegetables (carrots), eggs, meat, and fish.
Varieties: Compact, Golden Crinkle Leaf, Golden, Greek, Hot & Spicy, Italian, Kent Beauty, Kirigami, Purple Maiden, Supreme, Variegated
Red Basil
Red Basil is a striking variety of basil distinguished by its deep burgundy to purple-red leaves and spicy-sweet aroma. It grows as a compact annual herb with glossy foliage and small pink to purple flowers that appear in mid to late summer. The flavor is similar to sweet basil but slightly more intense, with notes of clove and anise. Red basil adds both color and taste to salads, pastas, vinegars, and garnishes, and its vibrant leaves are often used decoratively in culinary presentations.
Varieties: Red Rubin, Dark Opal, and Purple Ruffles.
