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Thyme and thyme are practically the same plant. Thyme is a type of thyme. They have the same appearance, taste and aromatic qualities. Although there are some minor differences, presented below.
Thyme and thyme: are they the same thing or not?
Thyme and thyme are practically the same plant, although many people think that they are different crops. The confusion arose for linguistic reasons. In Russian, the herb is more often called thyme, and in Ukrainian – thyme. In the Moldovan language it is called “chimbru”.
In Russian you can sometimes find the following spelling: “chebrets”. At the same time, “thyme” comes from the Latin “Thymus,” which, in turn, comes from a similar word in ancient Greek.
This perennial plant is a low-growing shrub. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes other well-known crops, for example, lemon balm, sage, rosemary, basil, oregano, mint, and lavender. They are united by the presence of essential oils in plant tissues. That is why all the described herbs give a pleasant aroma and are often used in cooking.
There are quite a few varieties of thyme. Of these, the most common are creeping and ordinary. Creeping thyme is called thyme.There are no particular differences between them, since we are talking about the same plant. Although the concept of “thyme” is broader than “thyme”.
What is the difference between thyme and thyme?
There are not many differences between these cultures, but they still exist. If you look closely, they can be identified by their appearance, taste and aroma. There are also differences associated with different places of growth.
Appearance
Thyme differs from thyme in appearance. The latter is called pepper grass. This is a low-growing shrub, usually reaching a height of no more than 50 cm. The stems are erect, branch well, and shoots grow actively.
Plants vary slightly in appearance
The leaves are entire-edged, rich green in color, grow on a short petiole, there are few differences between them. The shoots and foliage have a pleasant smell and are used in cooking. Flowering is long-lasting - begins in July and ends in early October. After this, the fruits ripen - round, dry nuts.
Finding the differences between these crops in the first half of summer is not easy. But when flowering begins, you can notice the difference. Thyme produces flowers whose length ranges from 4-15 mm. They collect in the axils of the leaves. Inflorescences are pink-purple, bluish. Flowers are located throughout the shoot, and not just at the top. The calyxes are symmetrical, bell-shaped, and have five teeth. The flowers have four stamens and anthers consisting of two nests.
Thyme also produces well-branched stems reaching a height of 35-40 cm. In this regard, there are no differences between the plants. However, in this crop the stems can not only grow upward, but also spread along the surface of the ground.The inflorescences are represented by groups of flowers (rather than single buds) of lilac-pink or white color.
Another difference is associated with the leaves - they are harsh, rich green in color, oval in shape, often close to round. Flowering also occurs in summer, but the difference is that it is earlier. Therefore, the fruits ripen faster - they are formed already in August or September. The type of fruit is a capsule with nuts, the color is dark brown.
Taste and aroma
There are practically no differences in taste and aroma. Both herbs provide a pleasant taste and spicy aroma. Therefore, greens are used as a spice in various soups, vegetable and fish dishes, and in preserves.
Places of growth
Thyme grows in warm countries of the Mediterranean region. Although it can also be found in Eastern Europe, including central Russia. The plant is grown in special farms, for example, in the Moscow region, southern regions and in the North-West of the country.
Thyme is found everywhere in Russia up to Eastern Siberia
There are no particular differences between the herbs on this point. Thyme also grows in most European countries. It is less whimsical, so it is found even in Scandinavia. In the east, the range reaches all the way to Siberia. The plant prefers a temperate climate.
How are plants similar?
The cultures have few differences because they belong to the same family and are biologically related to each other. The similarity is due to several parameters:
- bush height – up to 40-50 cm;
- stem – erect, well branched;
- leaf color is rich green;
- the flowers are small, appear in the second half of summer;
- There are no special differences in taste and aroma either.
The difference can only be determined during the flowering period. The differences are also related to the area.While thyme is less resistant to cold, thyme grows normally in temperate climates. That is why it can be found in different regions of Eurasia: from Great Britain to Eastern Siberia. In cooking there is no difference between herbs.
Conclusion
Thyme and thyme have practically no differences. These are herbs from the same family and genus. They are valued for their pleasant taste and aroma and are used as spices. In practice, these names refer to the same plant.
