🪴 Herb Vocab
Herb names usually refer to the aromatic leaves, stems, fronds, or tender parts of plants used to flavor food. One of the most useful distinctions is between tender herbs and woody herbs. Tender herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, and chives usually taste freshest when added near the end of cooking. Woody herbs such as rosemary and thyme can handle longer cooking and often flavor roasts, soups, and stews from the beginning. Some herbs also have close-looking relatives with very different flavors, so learning their aroma, texture, and typical use is more useful than memorizing appearance alone.
🇮🇹 Mediterranean Staples
🌿 Basil
tender aromatic herb with sweet, peppery, and slightly floral flavor
Example: She tore fresh basil over the tomatoes just before serving.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão
💡 Nuance: In Mediterranean cooking, sweet basil is the familiar basil used in pesto and tomato dishes. Because the leaves are tender, long cooking can dull their fresh aroma and darken them.
tender aromatic herb with sweet, peppery, and slightly floral flavor
Example: She tore fresh basil over the tomatoes just before serving.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca🇫🇷 French: Basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão
💡 Nuance: In Mediterranean cooking, sweet basil is the familiar basil used in pesto and tomato dishes. Because the leaves are tender, long cooking can dull their fresh aroma and darken them.
🟢 Parsley
fresh green herb with a clean, mildly peppery flavor
Example: She chopped flat-leaf parsley into the sauce and saved a little for garnish.
🇫🇷 French: Persil
🇩🇪 German: Petersilie
🇮🇹 Italian: Prezzemolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Salsa
💡 Nuance: Flat-leaf parsley is widely used as both a seasoning and garnish. Curly parsley has tightly curled leaves and is especially familiar as a garnish. Parsley may resemble cilantro, but the aroma is much milder.
fresh green herb with a clean, mildly peppery flavor
Example: She chopped flat-leaf parsley into the sauce and saved a little for garnish.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Perejil🇫🇷 French: Persil
🇩🇪 German: Petersilie
🇮🇹 Italian: Prezzemolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Salsa
💡 Nuance: Flat-leaf parsley is widely used as both a seasoning and garnish. Curly parsley has tightly curled leaves and is especially familiar as a garnish. Parsley may resemble cilantro, but the aroma is much milder.
🌲 Rosemary
strong woody herb with needle-like leaves and a piney aroma
Example: She roasted the potatoes with garlic and a few sprigs of rosemary.
🇫🇷 French: Romarin
🇩🇪 German: Rosmarin
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosmarino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alecrim
💡 Nuance: Rosemary is a sturdy woody herb, so it tolerates roasting and long cooking much better than tender herbs such as basil or chives. A sprig is a small stem with leaves attached.
strong woody herb with needle-like leaves and a piney aroma
Example: She roasted the potatoes with garlic and a few sprigs of rosemary.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Romero🇫🇷 French: Romarin
🇩🇪 German: Rosmarin
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosmarino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alecrim
💡 Nuance: Rosemary is a sturdy woody herb, so it tolerates roasting and long cooking much better than tender herbs such as basil or chives. A sprig is a small stem with leaves attached.
🌱 Thyme
small-leaved woody herb with earthy, herbal, and slightly minty notes
Example: She added a few thyme sprigs to the stock and removed the stems later.
🇫🇷 French: Thym
🇩🇪 German: Thymian
🇮🇹 Italian: Timo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tomilho
💡 Nuance: Thyme is often used as a quiet background herb in soups, stocks, roasts, and braises. You can strip the leaves from the stem or cook with the whole sprig and remove it later.
small-leaved woody herb with earthy, herbal, and slightly minty notes
Example: She added a few thyme sprigs to the stock and removed the stems later.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Tomillo🇫🇷 French: Thym
🇩🇪 German: Thymian
🇮🇹 Italian: Timo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tomilho
💡 Nuance: Thyme is often used as a quiet background herb in soups, stocks, roasts, and braises. You can strip the leaves from the stem or cook with the whole sprig and remove it later.
🍕 Oregano
pungent earthy herb commonly used in Mediterranean and Latin American cooking
Example: The tomato sauce was seasoned with dried oregano before it simmered.
🇫🇷 French: Origan
🇩🇪 German: Oregano
🇮🇹 Italian: Origano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Orégano
💡 Nuance: Dried oregano can taste especially concentrated and is often used during cooking. Marjoram is related in flavor but is usually sweeter, softer, and less assertive.
pungent earthy herb commonly used in Mediterranean and Latin American cooking
Example: The tomato sauce was seasoned with dried oregano before it simmered.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Orégano🇫🇷 French: Origan
🇩🇪 German: Oregano
🇮🇹 Italian: Origano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Orégano
💡 Nuance: Dried oregano can taste especially concentrated and is often used during cooking. Marjoram is related in flavor but is usually sweeter, softer, and less assertive.
🤍 Sage
strong earthy herb with soft fuzzy leaves and a slightly peppery, resinous flavor
Example: The sage leaves became crisp in the brown butter for the gnocchi.
🇫🇷 French: Sauge
🇩🇪 German: Salbei
🇮🇹 Italian: Salvia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sálvia
💡 Nuance: Sage has a concentrated flavor, so a small amount can season an entire dish. It pairs especially well with butter, poultry, squash, pork, and rich foods.
strong earthy herb with soft fuzzy leaves and a slightly peppery, resinous flavor
Example: The sage leaves became crisp in the brown butter for the gnocchi.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Salvia🇫🇷 French: Sauge
🇩🇪 German: Salbei
🇮🇹 Italian: Salvia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sálvia
💡 Nuance: Sage has a concentrated flavor, so a small amount can season an entire dish. It pairs especially well with butter, poultry, squash, pork, and rich foods.
💗 Marjoram
gentle aromatic herb with sweet, floral, and earthy notes
Example: She used marjoram because she wanted a softer herbal flavor than oregano.
🇫🇷 French: Marjolaine
🇩🇪 German: Majoran
🇮🇹 Italian: Maggiorana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjerona
💡 Nuance: Marjoram and oregano are close relatives, but marjoram is generally milder and sweeter. Fresh marjoram is delicate enough that adding it later in cooking can preserve more of its aroma.
gentle aromatic herb with sweet, floral, and earthy notes
Example: She used marjoram because she wanted a softer herbal flavor than oregano.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Mejorana🇫🇷 French: Marjolaine
🇩🇪 German: Majoran
🇮🇹 Italian: Maggiorana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjerona
💡 Nuance: Marjoram and oregano are close relatives, but marjoram is generally milder and sweeter. Fresh marjoram is delicate enough that adding it later in cooking can preserve more of its aroma.
🫘 Savory
peppery aromatic herb traditionally used with beans, meats, and vegetables
Example: Summer savory added a peppery herbal note to the bean stew.
🇫🇷 French: Sariette
🇩🇪 German: Bohnenkraut
🇮🇹 Italian: Santoreggia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Segurelha
💡 Nuance: Here, savory is the name of an herb, not the general English adjective meaning “not sweet.” Summer savory tends to be more delicate, while winter savory is woodier and stronger.
peppery aromatic herb traditionally used with beans, meats, and vegetables
Example: Summer savory added a peppery herbal note to the bean stew.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Ajedrea🇫🇷 French: Sariette
🇩🇪 German: Bohnenkraut
🇮🇹 Italian: Santoreggia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Segurelha
💡 Nuance: Here, savory is the name of an herb, not the general English adjective meaning “not sweet.” Summer savory tends to be more delicate, while winter savory is woodier and stronger.
🥗 Soft Green Herbs
🍋 Cilantro
tender leafy herb with a bright citrusy aroma, widely used in Mexican, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She scattered fresh cilantro over the tacos just before serving.
🇫🇷 French: Coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriander
🇮🇹 Italian: Coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro
💡 Nuance: Cilantro is the fresh leaf of the same plant that produces coriander seed. Because the leaves are tender, they are often added near the end of cooking. Culantro is a different, stronger tropical herb.
tender leafy herb with a bright citrusy aroma, widely used in Mexican, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She scattered fresh cilantro over the tacos just before serving.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cilantro / coriandro🇫🇷 French: Coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriander
🇮🇹 Italian: Coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro
💡 Nuance: Cilantro is the fresh leaf of the same plant that produces coriander seed. Because the leaves are tender, they are often added near the end of cooking. Culantro is a different, stronger tropical herb.
❄️ Mint
family of aromatic herbs known for a cool, refreshing menthol-like sensation
Example: Fresh spearmint made the cucumber salad taste cool and refreshing.
🇫🇷 French: Menthe
🇩🇪 German: Minze
🇮🇹 Italian: Menta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Hortelã
💡 Nuance: Mint is a family rather than one exact flavor. Spearmint is relatively gentle and common in salads and savory food, while peppermint has a stronger menthol character and is common in sweets and tea.
family of aromatic herbs known for a cool, refreshing menthol-like sensation
Example: Fresh spearmint made the cucumber salad taste cool and refreshing.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Menta / hierbabuena🇫🇷 French: Menthe
🇩🇪 German: Minze
🇮🇹 Italian: Menta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Hortelã
💡 Nuance: Mint is a family rather than one exact flavor. Spearmint is relatively gentle and common in salads and savory food, while peppermint has a stronger menthol character and is common in sweets and tea.
🐟 Dill
soft feathery herb with a fresh grassy, citrusy, and lightly anise-like flavor
Example: She chopped fresh dill over the salmon after it came out of the oven.
🇫🇷 French: Aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dill
🇮🇹 Italian: Aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Endro / aneto
💡 Nuance: Fresh dill is delicate and is often added late. Dill seed comes from the same plant but has a warmer, more concentrated flavor and is treated as a spice.
soft feathery herb with a fresh grassy, citrusy, and lightly anise-like flavor
Example: She chopped fresh dill over the salmon after it came out of the oven.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Eneldo🇫🇷 French: Aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dill
🇮🇹 Italian: Aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Endro / aneto
💡 Nuance: Fresh dill is delicate and is often added late. Dill seed comes from the same plant but has a warmer, more concentrated flavor and is treated as a spice.
🧅 Chives
thin hollow green leaves with a mild onion flavor
Example: She snipped fresh chives over the scrambled eggs.
🇫🇷 French: Ciboulette
🇩🇪 German: Schnittlauch
🇮🇹 Italian: Erba cipollina
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cebolinho
💡 Nuance: To snip means to cut quickly into small pieces, often with scissors. Chives are related to onions but are much finer and milder than green onions or scallions.
thin hollow green leaves with a mild onion flavor
Example: She snipped fresh chives over the scrambled eggs.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cebollino🇫🇷 French: Ciboulette
🇩🇪 German: Schnittlauch
🇮🇹 Italian: Erba cipollina
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cebolinho
💡 Nuance: To snip means to cut quickly into small pieces, often with scissors. Chives are related to onions but are much finer and milder than green onions or scallions.
🍬 Tarragon
delicate aromatic herb with a distinctive sweet anise-like flavor
Example: Fresh tarragon gave the béarnaise sauce its characteristic herbal flavor.
🇫🇷 French: Estragon
🇩🇪 German: Estragon
🇮🇹 Italian: Dragoncello
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estragão
💡 Nuance: Tarragon is especially associated with French cooking. Its anise-like flavor is stronger than chervil’s and very different from the fresh feathery flavor of dill.
delicate aromatic herb with a distinctive sweet anise-like flavor
Example: Fresh tarragon gave the béarnaise sauce its characteristic herbal flavor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Estragón🇫🇷 French: Estragon
🇩🇪 German: Estragon
🇮🇹 Italian: Dragoncello
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estragão
💡 Nuance: Tarragon is especially associated with French cooking. Its anise-like flavor is stronger than chervil’s and very different from the fresh feathery flavor of dill.
🤍 Chervil
delicate herb with mild parsley-like flavor and a subtle anise note
Example: She added the chervil at the end so its delicate flavor would stay fresh.
🇫🇷 French: Cerfeuil
🇩🇪 German: Kerbel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cerfoglio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cerefólio
💡 Nuance: Chervil is a tender herb whose subtle aroma is easily lost during long cooking. It is one of the classic herbs used in the French mixture fines herbes.
delicate herb with mild parsley-like flavor and a subtle anise note
Example: She added the chervil at the end so its delicate flavor would stay fresh.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Perifollo🇫🇷 French: Cerfeuil
🇩🇪 German: Kerbel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cerfoglio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cerefólio
💡 Nuance: Chervil is a tender herb whose subtle aroma is easily lost during long cooking. It is one of the classic herbs used in the French mixture fines herbes.
🍋 Citrus, Tart & Feathery
🌾 Lemongrass
firm fibrous stalk with a clean citrus aroma, common in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She bruised the lemongrass stalk before simmering it in the soup.
🇫🇷 French: Citronnelle
🇩🇪 German: Zitronengras
🇮🇹 Italian: Citronella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Capim-limão
💡 Nuance: To bruise an aromatic means to crush or bend it enough to release its oils without chopping it completely. The tender inner part can be sliced finely, while tougher pieces are often used mainly to infuse soups and curries.
firm fibrous stalk with a clean citrus aroma, common in Southeast Asian cooking
Example: She bruised the lemongrass stalk before simmering it in the soup.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Hierba limón / limoncillo🇫🇷 French: Citronnelle
🇩🇪 German: Zitronengras
🇮🇹 Italian: Citronella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Capim-limão
💡 Nuance: To bruise an aromatic means to crush or bend it enough to release its oils without chopping it completely. The tender inner part can be sliced finely, while tougher pieces are often used mainly to infuse soups and curries.
🍋 Lemon Balm
soft mint-family herb with a gentle lemon aroma
Example: She steeped fresh lemon balm leaves in hot water for tea.
🇫🇷 French: Mélisse
🇩🇪 German: Zitronenmelisse
🇮🇹 Italian: Melissa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Erva-cidreira
💡 Nuance: Lemon balm is a soft leafy herb, while lemongrass is a tough fibrous stalk. They share a citrus aroma but have very different textures and culinary uses.
soft mint-family herb with a gentle lemon aroma
Example: She steeped fresh lemon balm leaves in hot water for tea.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Melisa / toronjil🇫🇷 French: Mélisse
🇩🇪 German: Zitronenmelisse
🇮🇹 Italian: Melissa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Erva-cidreira
💡 Nuance: Lemon balm is a soft leafy herb, while lemongrass is a tough fibrous stalk. They share a citrus aroma but have very different textures and culinary uses.
🥬 Sorrel
leafy herb with a naturally tart, lemon-like flavor
Example: The sorrel gave the creamy fish sauce a fresh sour note.
🇫🇷 French: Oseille
🇩🇪 German: Sauerampfer
🇮🇹 Italian: Acetosa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Azeda
💡 Nuance: Sorrel tastes genuinely tart or sour rather than merely smelling like lemon. This distinguishes it from lemon balm, whose main characteristic is aroma.
leafy herb with a naturally tart, lemon-like flavor
Example: The sorrel gave the creamy fish sauce a fresh sour note.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Acedera🇫🇷 French: Oseille
🇩🇪 German: Sauerampfer
🇮🇹 Italian: Acetosa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Azeda
💡 Nuance: Sorrel tastes genuinely tart or sour rather than merely smelling like lemon. This distinguishes it from lemon balm, whose main characteristic is aroma.
🪶 Fennel Fronds
soft feathery fennel leaves with a fresh sweet anise-like flavor
Example: She scattered fennel fronds over the grilled fish before serving.
🇫🇷 French: Pluches de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelgrün
🇮🇹 Italian: Barba di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de funcho
💡 Nuance: The fronds are the feathery green tops. The fennel bulb is used as a vegetable, while fennel seed is treated as a spice. Dill looks similar but has a different, tangier flavor.
soft feathery fennel leaves with a fresh sweet anise-like flavor
Example: She scattered fennel fronds over the grilled fish before serving.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Plumas de hinojo🇫🇷 French: Pluches de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelgrün
🇮🇹 Italian: Barba di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de funcho
💡 Nuance: The fronds are the feathery green tops. The fennel bulb is used as a vegetable, while fennel seed is treated as a spice. Dill looks similar but has a different, tangier flavor.
🟢 Purslane
succulent leafy herb with crisp stems and a mild tart flavor
Example: The purslane added a juicy crunch to the tomato salad.
🇫🇷 French: Pourpier
🇩🇪 German: Portulak
🇮🇹 Italian: Portulaca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Beldroega
💡 Nuance: Succulent means the leaves or stems are thick and hold water. Purslane is mildly sour and crisp, while sorrel is generally more sharply tart.
succulent leafy herb with crisp stems and a mild tart flavor
Example: The purslane added a juicy crunch to the tomato salad.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Verdolaga🇫🇷 French: Pourpier
🇩🇪 German: Portulak
🇮🇹 Italian: Portulaca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Beldroega
💡 Nuance: Succulent means the leaves or stems are thick and hold water. Purslane is mildly sour and crisp, while sorrel is generally more sharply tart.
💧 Watercress
peppery leafy green used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and soups
Example: The watercress gave the sandwich a fresh peppery bite.
🇫🇷 French: Cresson
🇩🇪 German: Brunnenkresse
🇮🇹 Italian: Crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Agrião
💡 Nuance: Watercress has a noticeable mustard-like or peppery bite. It may be treated as a salad green as well as an herb.
peppery leafy green used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, and soups
Example: The watercress gave the sandwich a fresh peppery bite.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Berro🇫🇷 French: Cresson
🇩🇪 German: Brunnenkresse
🇮🇹 Italian: Crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Agrião
💡 Nuance: Watercress has a noticeable mustard-like or peppery bite. It may be treated as a salad green as well as an herb.
🌏 Asian & Latin Leaves
🍃 Shiso
East Asian aromatic leaf with minty, citrusy, herbal, and slightly spicy notes
Example: The sashimi was served with fresh green shiso leaves.
🇫🇷 French: Shiso
🇩🇪 German: Shiso / Perilla
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiso
💡 Nuance: Shiso is also called perilla. Although it belongs to the mint family, its flavor is distinctive and it should not simply be treated as ordinary mint.
East Asian aromatic leaf with minty, citrusy, herbal, and slightly spicy notes
Example: The sashimi was served with fresh green shiso leaves.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Shiso / perilla🇫🇷 French: Shiso
🇩🇪 German: Shiso / Perilla
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiso
💡 Nuance: Shiso is also called perilla. Although it belongs to the mint family, its flavor is distinctive and it should not simply be treated as ordinary mint.
🇹🇭 Thai Basil
basil variety with sweet, spicy, and licorice-like notes that holds up relatively well to heat
Example: The cook stirred Thai basil into the curry just before serving.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic thaï
🇩🇪 German: Thai-Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico thai
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-tailandês
💡 Nuance: Thai basil often has purple stems and a more noticeable anise or licorice character than sweet Italian basil. It is also sturdier in hot dishes.
basil variety with sweet, spicy, and licorice-like notes that holds up relatively well to heat
Example: The cook stirred Thai basil into the curry just before serving.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca tailandesa🇫🇷 French: Basilic thaï
🇩🇪 German: Thai-Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico thai
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-tailandês
💡 Nuance: Thai basil often has purple stems and a more noticeable anise or licorice character than sweet Italian basil. It is also sturdier in hot dishes.
🇮🇳 Holy Basil
strong aromatic basil with peppery, clove-like notes, also known as tulsi
Example: The stir-fry used holy basil for its peppery clove-like aroma.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic sacré
🇩🇪 German: Heiliges Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico sacro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-sagrado
💡 Nuance: Holy basil is also called tulsi. It is distinct from both sweet basil and Thai basil and is valued for a sharper peppery, clove-like character.
strong aromatic basil with peppery, clove-like notes, also known as tulsi
Example: The stir-fry used holy basil for its peppery clove-like aroma.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca sagrada / tulsi🇫🇷 French: Basilic sacré
🇩🇪 German: Heiliges Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico sacro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-sagrado
💡 Nuance: Holy basil is also called tulsi. It is distinct from both sweet basil and Thai basil and is valued for a sharper peppery, clove-like character.
🍛 Curry Leaves
fragrant South Asian leaves commonly fried in hot oil to release their savory aroma
Example: The curry leaves crackled in the hot oil with the mustard seeds.
🇫🇷 French: Feuilles de curry
🇩🇪 German: Curryblätter
🇮🇹 Italian: Foglie di curry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de caril
💡 Nuance: Curry leaves are an actual leaf ingredient. Curry powder is a ground mixture of spices. Despite the shared word curry, they are not substitutes.
fragrant South Asian leaves commonly fried in hot oil to release their savory aroma
Example: The curry leaves crackled in the hot oil with the mustard seeds.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Hojas de curry🇫🇷 French: Feuilles de curry
🇩🇪 German: Curryblätter
🇮🇹 Italian: Foglie di curry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de caril
💡 Nuance: Curry leaves are an actual leaf ingredient. Curry powder is a ground mixture of spices. Despite the shared word curry, they are not substitutes.
🇲🇽 Epazote
strong Mexican herb traditionally used in beans, soups, stews, and other savory dishes
Example: A small amount of epazote simmered with the black beans.
🇫🇷 French: Épazote
🇩🇪 German: Epazote
🇮🇹 Italian: Epazote
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Epazote
💡 Nuance: Epazote has an unusual, very distinctive aroma when raw and is commonly used as a cooked herb. Cilantro is fresher and citrusy and does not reproduce the same flavor.
strong Mexican herb traditionally used in beans, soups, stews, and other savory dishes
Example: A small amount of epazote simmered with the black beans.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Epazote🇫🇷 French: Épazote
🇩🇪 German: Epazote
🇮🇹 Italian: Epazote
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Epazote
💡 Nuance: Epazote has an unusual, very distinctive aroma when raw and is commonly used as a cooked herb. Cilantro is fresher and citrusy and does not reproduce the same flavor.
🌴 Culantro
long saw-edged tropical herb with a strong cilantro-like aroma
Example: The culantro gave the recaito a deep herbal flavor even after cooking.
🇫🇷 French: Culantro
🇩🇪 German: Culantro
🇮🇹 Italian: Culantro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro-longo
💡 Nuance: Culantro and cilantro are different plants. Culantro has long serrated or saw-edged leaves, a stronger aroma, and generally stands up to cooking better.
long saw-edged tropical herb with a strong cilantro-like aroma
Example: The culantro gave the recaito a deep herbal flavor even after cooking.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Culantro / recao🇫🇷 French: Culantro
🇩🇪 German: Culantro
🇮🇹 Italian: Culantro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro-longo
💡 Nuance: Culantro and cilantro are different plants. Culantro has long serrated or saw-edged leaves, a stronger aroma, and generally stands up to cooking better.
🌸 Stew Leaves & Aromatics
🍂 Bay Leaf
aromatic leaf used during simmering to add subtle herbal depth
Example: She simmered a bay leaf with the beans and removed it before serving.
🇫🇷 French: Laurier
🇩🇪 German: Lorbeerblatt
🇮🇹 Italian: Alloro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Louro
💡 Nuance: Bay leaf is usually a background aromatic rather than a chopped fresh garnish. Whole leaves are typically removed before serving.
aromatic leaf used during simmering to add subtle herbal depth
Example: She simmered a bay leaf with the beans and removed it before serving.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Laurel🇫🇷 French: Laurier
🇩🇪 German: Lorbeerblatt
🇮🇹 Italian: Alloro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Louro
💡 Nuance: Bay leaf is usually a background aromatic rather than a chopped fresh garnish. Whole leaves are typically removed before serving.
💜 Lavender
highly floral aromatic buds used sparingly in selected desserts, drinks, and savory dishes
Example: She added a small pinch of culinary lavender to the shortbread dough.
🇫🇷 French: Lavande
🇩🇪 German: Lavendel
🇮🇹 Italian: Lavanda
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Lavanda / alfazema
💡 Nuance: Recipes calling for lavender generally mean culinary lavender. Because the floral flavor is concentrated, too much can make food taste perfumed or soapy.
highly floral aromatic buds used sparingly in selected desserts, drinks, and savory dishes
Example: She added a small pinch of culinary lavender to the shortbread dough.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Lavanda🇫🇷 French: Lavande
🇩🇪 German: Lavendel
🇮🇹 Italian: Lavanda
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Lavanda / alfazema
💡 Nuance: Recipes calling for lavender generally mean culinary lavender. Because the floral flavor is concentrated, too much can make food taste perfumed or soapy.
🥬 Lovage
powerful leafy herb with a flavor reminiscent of celery and parsley
Example: One lovage leaf gave the soup a strong celery-like aroma.
🇫🇷 French: Livèche
🇩🇪 German: Liebstöckel
🇮🇹 Italian: Levistico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Levístico
💡 Nuance: Lovage is considerably stronger than parsley, so recipes usually need only a small amount. Its celery-like character makes it especially useful in soups and stocks.
powerful leafy herb with a flavor reminiscent of celery and parsley
Example: One lovage leaf gave the soup a strong celery-like aroma.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Levístico🇫🇷 French: Livèche
🇩🇪 German: Liebstöckel
🇮🇹 Italian: Levistico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Levístico
💡 Nuance: Lovage is considerably stronger than parsley, so recipes usually need only a small amount. Its celery-like character makes it especially useful in soups and stocks.
🌸 Orris Root
dried iris rhizome used as a floral aromatic rather than as an ordinary leafy herb
Example: Orris root appeared in the botanical mixture for the gin rather than in the salad.
🇫🇷 French: Racine d’iris
🇩🇪 German: Schwertlilienwurzel
🇮🇹 Italian: Radice di iris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Raiz de íris
💡 Nuance: Orris root is unusual on an herb list because it is a dried underground plant part used mainly as an aromatic. It is especially associated with botanical flavoring and perfumery rather than everyday fresh-herb cooking.
dried iris rhizome used as a floral aromatic rather than as an ordinary leafy herb
Example: Orris root appeared in the botanical mixture for the gin rather than in the salad.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Raíz de lirio / orris🇫🇷 French: Racine d’iris
🇩🇪 German: Schwertlilienwurzel
🇮🇹 Italian: Radice di iris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Raiz de íris
💡 Nuance: Orris root is unusual on an herb list because it is a dried underground plant part used mainly as an aromatic. It is especially associated with botanical flavoring and perfumery rather than everyday fresh-herb cooking.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🌿 Sweet Basil vs. 🇹🇭 Thai Basil vs. 🇮🇳 Holy Basil
Sweet basil is the familiar pesto and tomato herb. Thai basil has stronger licorice-like notes and tolerates hot dishes well. Holy basil is more peppery and clove-like and has its own culinary traditions.
Sweet basil is the familiar pesto and tomato herb. Thai basil has stronger licorice-like notes and tolerates hot dishes well. Holy basil is more peppery and clove-like and has its own culinary traditions.
🟢 Parsley vs. 🍋 Cilantro vs. 🌴 Culantro
Parsley is mild and fresh. Cilantro has a much more distinctive citrusy aroma and is commonly added fresh at the end. Culantro is a separate tropical plant with a stronger cilantro-like flavor and better tolerance for cooking.
Parsley is mild and fresh. Cilantro has a much more distinctive citrusy aroma and is commonly added fresh at the end. Culantro is a separate tropical plant with a stronger cilantro-like flavor and better tolerance for cooking.
🍕 Oregano vs. 💗 Marjoram vs. 🫘 Savory
Oregano is pungent and assertive. Marjoram is related but sweeter and gentler. Savory is peppery and especially associated with beans and hearty savory dishes.
Oregano is pungent and assertive. Marjoram is related but sweeter and gentler. Savory is peppery and especially associated with beans and hearty savory dishes.
🐟 Dill vs. 🪶 Fennel Fronds
Both have fine feathery leaves. Dill is grassy, fresh, and slightly tangy. Fennel fronds have a sweeter and more obvious anise-like flavor.
Both have fine feathery leaves. Dill is grassy, fresh, and slightly tangy. Fennel fronds have a sweeter and more obvious anise-like flavor.
🍬 Tarragon vs. 🤍 Chervil
Both can have an anise-like note. Tarragon is more distinctive and assertive, while chervil is much milder and tastes partly like delicate parsley.
Both can have an anise-like note. Tarragon is more distinctive and assertive, while chervil is much milder and tastes partly like delicate parsley.
🌾 Lemongrass vs. 🍋 Lemon Balm
Lemongrass is a tough fibrous stalk that may be bruised, sliced, or simmered for its aroma. Lemon balm is a soft leafy member of the mint family used more like a tender herb or tea leaf.
Lemongrass is a tough fibrous stalk that may be bruised, sliced, or simmered for its aroma. Lemon balm is a soft leafy member of the mint family used more like a tender herb or tea leaf.
🍛 Curry Leaves vs. Curry Powder
Curry leaves are fragrant leaves that are often fried in oil. Curry powder is a ground mixture of spices. They are completely different ingredients despite the shared name.
Curry leaves are fragrant leaves that are often fried in oil. Curry powder is a ground mixture of spices. They are completely different ingredients despite the shared name.
🌸 Orris Root
Orris root is not a leafy garnish or salad herb. It is a dried iris rhizome used mainly as a floral aromatic in specialized foods, drinks, and fragrances.
Orris root is not a leafy garnish or salad herb. It is a dried iris rhizome used mainly as a floral aromatic in specialized foods, drinks, and fragrances.
💬 Everyday Herb Phrases
🍋 Parsley and cilantro can look similar, so smell the bunch if you are not sure.
using aroma to identify two common lookalikes
🇫🇷 Le persil et la coriandre peuvent se ressembler, alors sentez le bouquet si vous n’êtes pas sûr.
🇩🇪 Petersilie und Koriander können ähnlich aussehen, also riech am Bund, wenn du dir nicht sicher bist.
🇮🇹 Il prezzemolo e il coriandolo possono assomigliarsi, quindi annusa il mazzo se non sei sicuro.
🇵🇹 A salsa e o coentro podem parecer semelhantes, então cheire o maço se não tiver certeza.
using aroma to identify two common lookalikes
Show translations
🇪🇸 El perejil y el cilantro pueden parecerse, así que huele el manojo si no estás seguro.🇫🇷 Le persil et la coriandre peuvent se ressembler, alors sentez le bouquet si vous n’êtes pas sûr.
🇩🇪 Petersilie und Koriander können ähnlich aussehen, also riech am Bund, wenn du dir nicht sicher bist.
🇮🇹 Il prezzemolo e il coriandolo possono assomigliarsi, quindi annusa il mazzo se non sei sicuro.
🇵🇹 A salsa e o coentro podem parecer semelhantes, então cheire o maço se não tiver certeza.
🇹🇭 Thai basil works well in a hot curry, while sweet basil is the classic choice for pesto.
two basil varieties with different typical uses
🇫🇷 Le basilic thaï convient bien à un curry chaud, tandis que le basilic doux est le choix classique pour le pesto.
🇩🇪 Thai-Basilikum passt gut in ein heißes Curry, während süßes Basilikum die klassische Wahl für Pesto ist.
🇮🇹 Il basilico thai funziona bene in un curry caldo, mentre il basilico dolce è la scelta classica per il pesto.
🇵🇹 O manjericão-tailandês funciona bem em um curry quente, enquanto o manjericão doce é a escolha clássica para pesto.
two basil varieties with different typical uses
Show translations
🇪🇸 La albahaca tailandesa funciona bien en un curry caliente, mientras que la albahaca dulce es la opción clásica para el pesto.🇫🇷 Le basilic thaï convient bien à un curry chaud, tandis que le basilic doux est le choix classique pour le pesto.
🇩🇪 Thai-Basilikum passt gut in ein heißes Curry, während süßes Basilikum die klassische Wahl für Pesto ist.
🇮🇹 Il basilico thai funziona bene in un curry caldo, mentre il basilico dolce è la scelta classica per il pesto.
🇵🇹 O manjericão-tailandês funciona bem em um curry quente, enquanto o manjericão doce é a escolha clássica para pesto.
🍛 The recipe calls for curry leaves, not curry powder; one is a leaf and the other is a spice blend.
leaf ingredient vs. ground blend
🇫🇷 La recette demande des feuilles de curry, pas du curry en poudre ; l’un est une feuille et l’autre un mélange d’épices.
🇩🇪 Das Rezept verlangt Curryblätter, nicht Currypulver; das eine ist ein Blatt und das andere eine Gewürzmischung.
🇮🇹 La ricetta richiede foglie di curry, non curry in polvere; uno è una foglia e l’altro è una miscela di spezie.
🇵🇹 A receita pede folhas de caril, não caril em pó; um é uma folha e o outro é uma mistura de especiarias.
leaf ingredient vs. ground blend
Show translations
🇪🇸 La receta pide hojas de curry, no curry en polvo; uno es una hoja y el otro es una mezcla de especias.🇫🇷 La recette demande des feuilles de curry, pas du curry en poudre ; l’un est une feuille et l’autre un mélange d’épices.
🇩🇪 Das Rezept verlangt Curryblätter, nicht Currypulver; das eine ist ein Blatt und das andere eine Gewürzmischung.
🇮🇹 La ricetta richiede foglie di curry, non curry in polvere; uno è una foglia e l’altro è una miscela di spezie.
🇵🇹 A receita pede folhas de caril, não caril em pó; um é uma folha e o outro é uma mistura de especiarias.
🌲 Rosemary can cook with the roast for a long time, but fresh basil is usually better added near the end.
woody herb vs. tender herb
🇫🇷 Le romarin peut cuire longtemps avec le rôti, mais le basilic frais est généralement meilleur ajouté vers la fin.
🇩🇪 Rosmarin kann lange mit dem Braten garen, frisches Basilikum gibt man normalerweise besser gegen Ende dazu.
🇮🇹 Il rosmarino può cuocere a lungo con l’arrosto, ma il basilico fresco è generalmente migliore se aggiunto verso la fine.
🇵🇹 O alecrim pode cozinhar por bastante tempo com o assado, mas o manjericão fresco geralmente fica melhor quando é adicionado perto do fim.
woody herb vs. tender herb
Show translations
🇪🇸 El romero puede cocinarse con el asado durante mucho tiempo, pero la albahaca fresca suele quedar mejor si se añade al final.🇫🇷 Le romarin peut cuire longtemps avec le rôti, mais le basilic frais est généralement meilleur ajouté vers la fin.
🇩🇪 Rosmarin kann lange mit dem Braten garen, frisches Basilikum gibt man normalerweise besser gegen Ende dazu.
🇮🇹 Il rosmarino può cuocere a lungo con l’arrosto, ma il basilico fresco è generalmente migliore se aggiunto verso la fine.
🇵🇹 O alecrim pode cozinhar por bastante tempo com o assado, mas o manjericão fresco geralmente fica melhor quando é adicionado perto do fim.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are shopping for fresh herbs, reading a recipe, or deciding when to add an herb while cooking. Choose the herb word that best fits each situation.
Imagine you are shopping for fresh herbs, reading a recipe, or deciding when to add an herb while cooking. Choose the herb word that best fits each situation.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%