Emily Simon, Author at Green Thumb Daily

Exploring the world of culinary herbs is like discovering a treasure chest in your own backyard. I find that growing my own herbs not only makes my garden look pretty but also elevates my cooking to a whole new level. Some herbs, which aren't as common as your everyday parsley or basil, can add unexpected and delightful flavors to your dishes. I love sharing my secret arsenal of unusual herbs with friends. These unique plants are not just a conversation starter—think of them as secret ingredients that bring a fresh and exciting twist to my recipes. Plus, they're a joy to grow. Whether it's the tall and stately lovage, with its bold celery-like taste, or the sweet citrus scent of lemon verbena, these herbs can turn an ordinary meal into something truly extraordinary. Key Takeaways Growing unusual herbs enhances both the garden's beauty and the flavor of home-cooked meals. Each unique herb offers distinctive tastes and aromas that can spark new creativity in the kitchen. Cultivating these lesser-known plants encourages experimentation with new recipes and flavors. Herb 1: Lovage I always get excited when I talk about lovage because it's truly a hidden gem in the herb garden. This versatile herb not only adds great flavor to dishes but is also easy to grow. Description and Flavor Profile Lovage looks a lot like celery with its tall stalks and green leaves. It’s got this amazing scent and tastes a bit like celery, but stronger and with a hint of parsley. If you enjoy rich, savory flavors, you’ll love what lovage brings to your cooking. Culinary Uses Here's the fun part: cooking with lovage! You can chop the leaves and add them to soups and stews to make them more flavorful. It's fantastic with potatoes too – try mixing some in with mashed potatoes, and you'll taste the difference. The seeds can also spice up your dishes; they're a real treat. Growing Tips Growing lovage is a breeze, really. It loves full sun, so plant it where the sun likes to hang out in your herb garden. It can get pretty tall, so make sure it has room to stretch. Once it's settled in, it needs very little help from me – just the usual water and a bit of love here and there. Herb 2: Lemon Verbena https://www.youtube.com/embed/eLRtR0B0iC8 If you're like me and you love adding a fresh citrus twist to your meals, then you're going to enjoy learning about lemon verbena. It's not as common as lemongrass, but trust me, it's a game-changer in the kitchen and a joy to grow in the garden. Description and Flavor Profile Lemon verbena is a herb with a strong citrus scent, making it a perfect pick if you're into lemony flavors. Its leaves are light green and pointy, and when you rub them between your fingers, they smell just like a fresh lemon. It's a lot more lemony than lemongrass, so a little goes a long way. Culinary Uses Sweet dishes: I love adding lemon verbena to fruit salads or desserts. It's like a sunshine boost! Savory dishes: It's fantastic with fish. A few leaves chopped up in a fish marinade? You'll thank me later. I found this zippy herb isn't just for fancy chefs. You can use it at home in simple recipes too! Growing Tips Growing lemon verbena isn't tricky: Sunshine: Plant it where it'll get plenty of light. Soil: Make sure the soil drains well. Nobody likes wet feet, not even plants. Watering: Don't go overboard with the water. Aim for the ground to be damp, not soggy. I saw a good tip where someone suggested growing it in a pot. That way, you can move it around and even bring it inside when it's cold. Check out more about growing this herb to get the best results. Herb 3: Shiso (Perilla) https://www.youtube.com/embed/YllaxS_FOhE I've got to tell you about shiso. This herb is a game changer in the kitchen and a beauty in the garden. Its flavor punches up dishes in a way that's hard to forget. Description and Flavor Profile Shiso is one of those unusual herbs with a flavor that's tricky to describe. It's got hints of mint, basil, and even a touch of cinnamon. The green leaves are more common, but there's also a purple variety that looks stunning. Culinary Uses In my cooking, I love using shiso to wrap up bites of fish or mix into salads for an Asian twist. It's a hero in Japanese dishes, and I've even seen it jazzing up pasta and fruit. And get this: shiso isn't just for fancy meals. I toss it into simple stuff like rice, and wow, it's good! Growing Tips Growing shiso is pretty straightforward if you keep a couple of things in mind. I wait until the nights are warm—above 50°F—before I plant the seeds outside. If I start 'em indoors, I make sure to soak the seeds first; it really helps them sprout better. They don't want too much sun, so a spot with some shade works great. Keep the soil moist, and before you know it, you'll have shiso ready to snip for your next meal. Herb 4: Sorrel I find sorrel to be such a unique herb. It has a zesty flavor that really perks up my meals, and it's surprisingly easy to grow. Description and Flavor Profile Sorrel is a leafy green herb with a tangy, lemony taste. Some folks say it's like a sour spinach. Its bright, sharp flavor comes from oxalic acid, which is the same stuff that gives rhubarb its kick. Culinary Uses In my kitchen, sorrel is super versatile. I love adding chopped sorrel to soups to give a fresh twist or mixing it into an egg dish, like an omelet, for a bright, tart flavor. You can also wrap fish in sorrel leaves before cooking to add a really nice, lemony zest. It's one of those herbs that can turn a simple meal into something special. Growing Tips When it comes to gardening, sorrel is a champ. It's a perennial, meaning it keeps coming back every year. It loves a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Just make sure it gets enough water, especially when it's hot outside. I like to pick the leaves while they're young and tender, that's when they taste the best to me. Herb 5: Anise Hyssop https://www.youtube.com/embed/XNNrKxHBqCc Anise Hyssop is both a treat for my taste buds and a splash of vivid color in my garden. It's not your ordinary herb; its sweet, anise-like flavor can really change up the usual flavors in my kitchen. Description and Flavor Profile Anise Hyssop, scientifically called Agastache foeniculum, has a unique taste that's a mix of sweet, a little spicy, and with a hint of licorice. It's a pretty plant with striking purple flowers that the bees and butterflies can't seem to get enough of. Culinary Uses In the kitchen, I toss Anise Hyssop flowers or leaves into my salads for a burst of herby sweetness. The leaves are fantastic when I want to add a twist to my teas or lemonades. Occasionally, I use the dried leaves to season meats or add them to my cookie batches for a surprising flavor. Growing Tips I've found Anise Hyssop to be quite easy to grow. It loves the sunlight and prefers a bit of space, so I give it room to flourish. Whether in my garden beds or grown in containers indoors, this herb thrives with regular watering - but I'm careful not to overdo it. It's hardy and once it's settled, it'll come back year after year, giving me more of those tasty leaves and flowers. Conclusion I've talked about some pretty interesting herbs today, and it's been a bunch of fun thinking about how they can spice up our gardens and dishes. Recap of the 5 Unusual Herbs Lovage: Lovage adds a fresh, minty, nutty flavor to elevate your culinary creations. Lemon Verbena: Lemon verbena is a fragrant herb commonly used in teas and desserts for its bright citrus flavor. Shiso (Perilla): Adding a unique tingly sensation to foods with its distinctive flavor. Sorrel: Sorrel adds a peppery zing to dishes, also known as Holy Basil in English. Anise Hyssop: Adds a unique touch for those who savor a spicy kick in their cuisine. Encouragement to Experiment with These Herbs in Cooking and Gardening Hey, why not give these herbs a shot in your own garden or kitchen? I bet they'll bring some new flavors to your food and some pretty colors to your garden beds. Plus, it's always fun to try something new, don't you think? Go ahead, grow them or cook with them – it's all about having a good time and discovering new tastes. Frequently Asked Questions https://www.youtube.com/embed/a0n6NaY3r2w Exploring new herbs can really spice up your cooking and turn your garden into a vibrant conversation piece. Let's dig into some questions you might have about these flavor-packed plants! What are some unique herbs you've tried in your recipes that really stood out? I once added Shiso, also known as Perilla, to a salad and it was a game-changer. It has a delightful minty flavor with a hint of nuttiness that really made the dish pop. Can you suggest exotic herbs that are surprisingly easy to grow in a small garden? Borage is fantastic and doesn't need much space. The leaves taste like cucumber and the pretty blue flowers can really brighten up your garden. Do you know any rare herbs that could add a new twist to my usual dishes? Epazote is a lesser-known herb I discovered that gives a bold, earthy flavor. It's great in Mexican dishes and really changes up the flavor profile of beans and soups. What's your top pick for an herb that can double as an eye-catching plant in my garden? Perilla, or shiso, is not only tasty but also visually pleasing with its purplish hue. It's a lovely addition that stands out amongst the greens in any garden. Have you come across any old-school herbs that aren't common today but are worth bringing back? I'm all for a comeback of lovage, an oldie with a strong celery-like flavor. It's not that common in modern gardens, but it has a rich history and packs a punch in soups and stews. Could you recommend a lesser-known herb that is challenging to cultivate but worth the effort for its flavor? Lemongrass can be tricky because it needs a lot of light and warmth, but it's totally worth it. The lemony flavor is amazing in Asian dishes and teas, and you can even use the stalk to infuse flavor while cooking.