🪴 Herbs Vocab
Herb names usually come from the leaves, stems, and aromatic qualities of plants used to flavor food. Some herbs are best added at the end to keep their fresh flavor, while others can handle heat and longer cooking. Basil is a whole family of herbs, while cilantro and culantro are related but distinct plants. The names below are the ones you’ll find in bunches, pots, and recipes.
🇮🇹 Mediterranean Staples
🌿 Basil
sweet, peppery leaf used in Mediterranean and Asian cooking
Example: Tear basil over tomatoes. Heat turns it black if you stew it too long.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão
💡 Nuance: Sweet basil is the pesto leaf. Thai basil and holy basil are different plants with different jobs.
sweet, peppery leaf used in Mediterranean and Asian cooking
Example: Tear basil over tomatoes. Heat turns it black if you stew it too long.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca🇫🇷 French: Basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão
💡 Nuance: Sweet basil is the pesto leaf. Thai basil and holy basil are different plants with different jobs.
🟢 Parsley
fresh, mildly peppery leaf used as garnish and seasoning
Example: Flat-leaf parsley cooks. Curly parsley mostly sits on the plate.
🇫🇷 French: Persil
🇩🇪 German: Petersilie
🇮🇹 Italian: Prezzemolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Salsa
💡 Nuance: Looks like cilantro. Cilantro smells citrus-soapy to some people. Parsley does not.
fresh, mildly peppery leaf used as garnish and seasoning
Example: Flat-leaf parsley cooks. Curly parsley mostly sits on the plate.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Perejil🇫🇷 French: Persil
🇩🇪 German: Petersilie
🇮🇹 Italian: Prezzemolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Salsa
💡 Nuance: Looks like cilantro. Cilantro smells citrus-soapy to some people. Parsley does not.
🌲 Rosemary
woody, piney herb - strong even in small amounts
Example: One rosemary sprig on roast potatoes. A handful would taste like a forest.
🇫🇷 French: Romarin
🇩🇪 German: Rosmarin
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosmarino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alecrim
💡 Nuance: Needle leaves. Survives long cooking. Thyme is smaller and gentler.
woody, piney herb - strong even in small amounts
Example: One rosemary sprig on roast potatoes. A handful would taste like a forest.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Romero🇫🇷 French: Romarin
🇩🇪 German: Rosmarin
🇮🇹 Italian: Rosmarino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alecrim
💡 Nuance: Needle leaves. Survives long cooking. Thyme is smaller and gentler.
🌱 Thyme
tiny leaves - earthy, a little minty
Example: Thyme in the stock pot. Strip the leaves or toss in the whole sprig and fish it out.
🇫🇷 French: Thym
🇩🇪 German: Thymian
🇮🇹 Italian: Timo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tomilho
💡 Nuance: Background herb. Oregano is louder and more pizza. Savory is peppery next door.
tiny leaves - earthy, a little minty
Example: Thyme in the stock pot. Strip the leaves or toss in the whole sprig and fish it out.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Tomillo🇫🇷 French: Thym
🇩🇪 German: Thymian
🇮🇹 Italian: Timo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tomilho
💡 Nuance: Background herb. Oregano is louder and more pizza. Savory is peppery next door.
🍕 Oregano
pungent earthy herb of Mediterranean and Mexican kitchens
Example: Dried oregano on pizza. Mexican oregano is a related punch, not the same plant.
🇫🇷 French: Origan
🇩🇪 German: Oregano
🇮🇹 Italian: Origano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Orégano
💡 Nuance: Dried is often stronger than fresh. Marjoram is the sweeter, milder cousin.
pungent earthy herb of Mediterranean and Mexican kitchens
Example: Dried oregano on pizza. Mexican oregano is a related punch, not the same plant.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Orégano🇫🇷 French: Origan
🇩🇪 German: Oregano
🇮🇹 Italian: Origano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Orégano
💡 Nuance: Dried is often stronger than fresh. Marjoram is the sweeter, milder cousin.
🤍 Sage
strong earthy leaf, a little peppery - a little goes far
Example: Brown butter and sage on gnocchi. Too many leaves taste medicinal.
🇫🇷 French: Sauge
🇩🇪 German: Salbei
🇮🇹 Italian: Salvia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sálvia
💡 Nuance: Fuzzy leaf. Loves fat and heat. Not a handful-in-the-salad herb.
strong earthy leaf, a little peppery - a little goes far
Example: Brown butter and sage on gnocchi. Too many leaves taste medicinal.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Salvia🇫🇷 French: Sauge
🇩🇪 German: Salbei
🇮🇹 Italian: Salvia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sálvia
💡 Nuance: Fuzzy leaf. Loves fat and heat. Not a handful-in-the-salad herb.
💗 Marjoram
mild sweet herb - floral and earthy
Example: Marjoram where oregano would shout.
🇫🇷 French: Marjolaine
🇩🇪 German: Majoran
🇮🇹 Italian: Maggiorana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjerona
💡 Nuance: Oregano's softer sibling. Add late. Heat flattens it.
mild sweet herb - floral and earthy
Example: Marjoram where oregano would shout.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Mejorana🇫🇷 French: Marjolaine
🇩🇪 German: Majoran
🇮🇹 Italian: Maggiorana
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjerona
💡 Nuance: Oregano's softer sibling. Add late. Heat flattens it.
🫘 Savory
peppery aromatic herb used with beans, meat, and vegetables
Example: Summer savory in the bean pot. Winter savory is woodier.
🇫🇷 French: Sariette
🇩🇪 German: Bohnenkraut
🇮🇹 Italian: Santoreggia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Segurelha
💡 Nuance: The German name means bean herb. Thyme-oregano neighborhood, more pepper.
peppery aromatic herb used with beans, meat, and vegetables
Example: Summer savory in the bean pot. Winter savory is woodier.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Ajedrea🇫🇷 French: Sariette
🇩🇪 German: Bohnenkraut
🇮🇹 Italian: Santoreggia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Segurelha
💡 Nuance: The German name means bean herb. Thyme-oregano neighborhood, more pepper.
🥗 Soft Green Herbs
🍋 Cilantro
bright citrusy leaf of Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Cilantro on tacos at the end. Cooking it into mush loses the point.
🇫🇷 French: Coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriander
🇮🇹 Italian: Coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro
💡 Nuance: Same plant as coriander seed. Culantro is a tougher, louder tropical cousin. Parsley is the lookalike without the perfume.
bright citrusy leaf of Mexican, Indian, and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Cilantro on tacos at the end. Cooking it into mush loses the point.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cilantro / coriandro🇫🇷 French: Coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriander
🇮🇹 Italian: Coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro
💡 Nuance: Same plant as coriander seed. Culantro is a tougher, louder tropical cousin. Parsley is the lookalike without the perfume.
❄️ Mint
cool menthol herb
Example: Spearmint in tabbouleh. Peppermint in tea. They are not the same mint.
🇫🇷 French: Menthe
🇩🇪 German: Minze
🇮🇹 Italian: Menta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Hortelã
💡 Nuance: A family. Spearmint is the salad mint. Peppermint is sharper. Shiso is mint-adjacent, not mint.
cool menthol herb
Example: Spearmint in tabbouleh. Peppermint in tea. They are not the same mint.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Menta / hierbabuena🇫🇷 French: Menthe
🇩🇪 German: Minze
🇮🇹 Italian: Menta
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Hortelã
💡 Nuance: A family. Spearmint is the salad mint. Peppermint is sharper. Shiso is mint-adjacent, not mint.
🐟 Dill
feathery grassy herb with a tangy edge
Example: Fresh dill on salmon. Dill seed in the pickle jar is the warmer cousin from the spice page.
🇫🇷 French: Aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dill
🇮🇹 Italian: Aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Endro / aneto
💡 Nuance: Add late. Heat flattens it. Fennel fronds look similar and taste more like sweet anise.
feathery grassy herb with a tangy edge
Example: Fresh dill on salmon. Dill seed in the pickle jar is the warmer cousin from the spice page.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Eneldo🇫🇷 French: Aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dill
🇮🇹 Italian: Aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Endro / aneto
💡 Nuance: Add late. Heat flattens it. Fennel fronds look similar and taste more like sweet anise.
🧅 Chives
thin green stems with a mild onion flavor
Example: Snip chives over eggs. They are not green onions, just the same family.
🇫🇷 French: Ciboulette
🇩🇪 German: Schnittlauch
🇮🇹 Italian: Erba cipollina
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cebolinho
💡 Nuance: Garnish onion. Heat kills them. Lovage is the louder celery-parsley stalk.
thin green stems with a mild onion flavor
Example: Snip chives over eggs. They are not green onions, just the same family.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Cebollino🇫🇷 French: Ciboulette
🇩🇪 German: Schnittlauch
🇮🇹 Italian: Erba cipollina
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cebolinho
💡 Nuance: Garnish onion. Heat kills them. Lovage is the louder celery-parsley stalk.
🍬 Tarragon
delicate leaf with a sweet anise flavor
Example: Tarragon in béarnaise. Dried tarragon is a pale copy of fresh.
🇫🇷 French: Estragon
🇩🇪 German: Estragon
🇮🇹 Italian: Dragoncello
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estragão
💡 Nuance: French cooking's anise leaf. Chervil is milder. Fennel fronds are the feathery lookalike.
delicate leaf with a sweet anise flavor
Example: Tarragon in béarnaise. Dried tarragon is a pale copy of fresh.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Estragón🇫🇷 French: Estragon
🇩🇪 German: Estragon
🇮🇹 Italian: Dragoncello
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estragão
💡 Nuance: French cooking's anise leaf. Chervil is milder. Fennel fronds are the feathery lookalike.
🤍 Chervil
delicate leaf that tastes like mild parsley plus a little anise
Example: Chervil in fines herbes. It dies in a long stew.
🇫🇷 French: Cerfeuil
🇩🇪 German: Kerbel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cerfoglio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cerefólio
💡 Nuance: Spring herb. Looks like fine parsley. Tarragon is the stronger anise neighbor.
delicate leaf that tastes like mild parsley plus a little anise
Example: Chervil in fines herbes. It dies in a long stew.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Perifollo🇫🇷 French: Cerfeuil
🇩🇪 German: Kerbel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cerfoglio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cerefólio
💡 Nuance: Spring herb. Looks like fine parsley. Tarragon is the stronger anise neighbor.
🍋 Citrus, Tart & Feathery
🌾 Lemongrass
fibrous citrus stalk with a clean lemon flavor
Example: Bruise lemongrass for soup. Slice the tender core. The dry top is only perfume.
🇫🇷 French: Citronnelle
🇩🇪 German: Zitronengras
🇮🇹 Italian: Citronella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Capim-limão
💡 Nuance: Stalk, not a leaf bunch. Lemon balm is the soft minty lemon leaf.
fibrous citrus stalk with a clean lemon flavor
Example: Bruise lemongrass for soup. Slice the tender core. The dry top is only perfume.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Hierba limón / limoncillo🇫🇷 French: Citronnelle
🇩🇪 German: Zitronengras
🇮🇹 Italian: Citronella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Capim-limão
💡 Nuance: Stalk, not a leaf bunch. Lemon balm is the soft minty lemon leaf.
🍋 Lemon Balm
soft mint-family leaf with a mild lemon scent
Example: Lemon balm in tea. Lemongrass in tom yum. Different plants.
🇫🇷 French: Mélisse
🇩🇪 German: Zitronenmelisse
🇮🇹 Italian: Melissa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Erva-cidreira
💡 Nuance: Gentle. Lavender is floral, not lemon. Sorrel is sour, not scented.
soft mint-family leaf with a mild lemon scent
Example: Lemon balm in tea. Lemongrass in tom yum. Different plants.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Melisa / toronjil🇫🇷 French: Mélisse
🇩🇪 German: Zitronenmelisse
🇮🇹 Italian: Melissa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Erva-cidreira
💡 Nuance: Gentle. Lavender is floral, not lemon. Sorrel is sour, not scented.
🥬 Sorrel
tart, lemony leaf for salads and sauces
Example: Sorrel sauce on fish tastes like lemon without the fruit.
🇫🇷 French: Oseille
🇩🇪 German: Sauerampfer
🇮🇹 Italian: Acetosa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Azeda
💡 Nuance: Sour from oxalic acid. Purslane is milder sour and succulent. Not a mint.
tart, lemony leaf for salads and sauces
Example: Sorrel sauce on fish tastes like lemon without the fruit.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Acedera🇫🇷 French: Oseille
🇩🇪 German: Sauerampfer
🇮🇹 Italian: Acetosa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Azeda
💡 Nuance: Sour from oxalic acid. Purslane is milder sour and succulent. Not a mint.
🪶 Fennel Fronds
feathery fennel tops - fresh sweet anise
Example: Fennel fronds on grilled fish. The bulb is a vegetable. The seed is a spice.
🇫🇷 French: Pluches de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelgrün
🇮🇹 Italian: Barba di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de funcho
💡 Nuance: Looks like dill. Tastes sweeter and more anise. Dill is tangier.
feathery fennel tops - fresh sweet anise
Example: Fennel fronds on grilled fish. The bulb is a vegetable. The seed is a spice.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Plumas de hinojo🇫🇷 French: Pluches de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelgrün
🇮🇹 Italian: Barba di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de funcho
💡 Nuance: Looks like dill. Tastes sweeter and more anise. Dill is tangier.
🟢 Purslane
succulent weed-herb - crisp, a little lemon-sour
Example: Purslane in a salad for crunch. It is not lettuce and not sorrel.
🇫🇷 French: Pourpier
🇩🇪 German: Portulak
🇮🇹 Italian: Portulaca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Beldroega
💡 Nuance: Fat stems, mild sour. Watercress is the peppery raw green.
succulent weed-herb - crisp, a little lemon-sour
Example: Purslane in a salad for crunch. It is not lettuce and not sorrel.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Verdolaga🇫🇷 French: Pourpier
🇩🇪 German: Portulak
🇮🇹 Italian: Portulaca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Beldroega
💡 Nuance: Fat stems, mild sour. Watercress is the peppery raw green.
💧 Watercress
peppery leafy herb eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, and soups
Example: Watercress soup is a peppery green, not a mint tea.
🇫🇷 French: Cresson
🇩🇪 German: Brunnenkresse
🇮🇹 Italian: Crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Agrião
💡 Nuance: Mustard-family bite. Not a long-cooking Mediterranean woody herb.
peppery leafy herb eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, and soups
Example: Watercress soup is a peppery green, not a mint tea.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Berro🇫🇷 French: Cresson
🇩🇪 German: Brunnenkresse
🇮🇹 Italian: Crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Agrião
💡 Nuance: Mustard-family bite. Not a long-cooking Mediterranean woody herb.
🌏 Asian & Latin Leaves
🍃 Shiso
East Asian leaf - mint, citrus, and a little spice
Example: Green shiso with sashimi. Red shiso colors umeboshi.
🇫🇷 French: Shiso
🇩🇪 German: Shiso / Perilla
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiso
💡 Nuance: Also called perilla. Mint-family, not mint. Thai basil is the other Asian perfume leaf.
East Asian leaf - mint, citrus, and a little spice
Example: Green shiso with sashimi. Red shiso colors umeboshi.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Shiso / perilla🇫🇷 French: Shiso
🇩🇪 German: Shiso / Perilla
🇮🇹 Italian: Shiso
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Shiso
💡 Nuance: Also called perilla. Mint-family, not mint. Thai basil is the other Asian perfume leaf.
🇹🇭 Thai Basil
basil with a sweet, spicy, slightly licorice flavor
Example: Thai basil in a curry. Sweet Italian basil would wilt into a different dish.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic thaï
🇩🇪 German: Thai-Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico thai
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-tailandês
💡 Nuance: Purple stems, sturdy in heat. Holy basil is the peppery clove-scented one for stir-fries like pad krapow.
basil with a sweet, spicy, slightly licorice flavor
Example: Thai basil in a curry. Sweet Italian basil would wilt into a different dish.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca tailandesa🇫🇷 French: Basilic thaï
🇩🇪 German: Thai-Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico thai
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-tailandês
💡 Nuance: Purple stems, sturdy in heat. Holy basil is the peppery clove-scented one for stir-fries like pad krapow.
🇮🇳 Holy Basil
peppery, clove-scented basil used in South and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Holy basil (tulsi / krapow) in a hot wok. Sweet basil is the wrong stand-in.
🇫🇷 French: Basilic sacré
🇩🇪 German: Heiliges Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico sacro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-sagrado
💡 Nuance: Also called tulsi. Spicier than Thai basil. Not a pesto leaf.
peppery, clove-scented basil used in South and Southeast Asian cooking
Example: Holy basil (tulsi / krapow) in a hot wok. Sweet basil is the wrong stand-in.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Albahaca sagrada / tulsi🇫🇷 French: Basilic sacré
🇩🇪 German: Heiliges Basilikum
🇮🇹 Italian: Basilico sacro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Manjericão-sagrado
💡 Nuance: Also called tulsi. Spicier than Thai basil. Not a pesto leaf.
🍛 Curry Leaves
fragrant South Asian leaves with a savory, nutty aroma
Example: Curry leaves crackle in oil. Curry powder is a tin of mixed spices.
🇫🇷 French: Feuilles de curry
🇩🇪 German: Curryblätter
🇮🇹 Italian: Foglie di curry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de caril
💡 Nuance: On the spice page too. Here they are the fresh or dried leaf bunch, not a blend.
fragrant South Asian leaves with a savory, nutty aroma
Example: Curry leaves crackle in oil. Curry powder is a tin of mixed spices.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Hojas de curry🇫🇷 French: Feuilles de curry
🇩🇪 German: Curryblätter
🇮🇹 Italian: Foglie di curry
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Folhas de caril
💡 Nuance: On the spice page too. Here they are the fresh or dried leaf bunch, not a blend.
🇲🇽 Epazote
strong Mexican herb for beans, soups, and stews
Example: Epazote in black beans. Cilantro is the wrong substitute.
🇫🇷 French: Épazote
🇩🇪 German: Epazote
🇮🇹 Italian: Epazote
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Epazote
💡 Nuance: Petroleum-herbal smell raw. Cooks into the pot. A little is enough.
strong Mexican herb for beans, soups, and stews
Example: Epazote in black beans. Cilantro is the wrong substitute.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Epazote🇫🇷 French: Épazote
🇩🇪 German: Epazote
🇮🇹 Italian: Epazote
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Epazote
💡 Nuance: Petroleum-herbal smell raw. Cooks into the pot. A little is enough.
🌴 Culantro
long saw-edged tropical leaf - cilantro flavor, much stronger
Example: Recaito starts with culantro. A bunch of cilantro is milder and dies faster in heat.
🇫🇷 French: Culantro
🇩🇪 German: Culantro
🇮🇹 Italian: Culantro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro-longo
💡 Nuance: Not cilantro. Survives cooking better. Same flavor family, different plant.
long saw-edged tropical leaf - cilantro flavor, much stronger
Example: Recaito starts with culantro. A bunch of cilantro is milder and dies faster in heat.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Culantro / recao🇫🇷 French: Culantro
🇩🇪 German: Culantro
🇮🇹 Italian: Culantro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Coentro-longo
💡 Nuance: Not cilantro. Survives cooking better. Same flavor family, different plant.
🌸 Stew Leaves & Aromatics
🍂 Bay Leaf
aromatic leaf that adds quiet herbal depth to soups and stews
Example: One bay leaf in the beans. Take it out before you serve.
🇫🇷 French: Laurier
🇩🇪 German: Lorbeerblatt
🇮🇹 Italian: Alloro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Louro
💡 Nuance: Also on the spice page. A background leaf, not a garnish you chop.
aromatic leaf that adds quiet herbal depth to soups and stews
Example: One bay leaf in the beans. Take it out before you serve.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Laurel🇫🇷 French: Laurier
🇩🇪 German: Lorbeerblatt
🇮🇹 Italian: Alloro
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Louro
💡 Nuance: Also on the spice page. A background leaf, not a garnish you chop.
💜 Lavender
floral, slightly sweet buds used sparingly in cooking and baking
Example: A pinch of culinary lavender in shortbread. A spoon tastes like soap.
🇫🇷 French: Lavande
🇩🇪 German: Lavendel
🇮🇹 Italian: Lavanda
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Lavanda / alfazema
💡 Nuance: Culinary buds only, and very little. Lemon balm is the safer lemon perfume.
floral, slightly sweet buds used sparingly in cooking and baking
Example: A pinch of culinary lavender in shortbread. A spoon tastes like soap.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Lavanda🇫🇷 French: Lavande
🇩🇪 German: Lavendel
🇮🇹 Italian: Lavanda
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Lavanda / alfazema
💡 Nuance: Culinary buds only, and very little. Lemon balm is the safer lemon perfume.
🥬 Lovage
loud herb - celery plus parsley, only stronger
Example: One lovage leaf in soup. It can replace a celery stalk.
🇫🇷 French: Livèche
🇩🇪 German: Liebstöckel
🇮🇹 Italian: Levistico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Levístico
💡 Nuance: Giant celery cousin. Not parsley. A little is a lot.
loud herb - celery plus parsley, only stronger
Example: One lovage leaf in soup. It can replace a celery stalk.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Levístico🇫🇷 French: Livèche
🇩🇪 German: Liebstöckel
🇮🇹 Italian: Levistico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Levístico
💡 Nuance: Giant celery cousin. Not parsley. A little is a lot.
🌸 Orris Root
dried iris root used as a floral aromatic more than as a salad herb
Example: Orris shows up in old gin and perfume formulas, not in a Tuesday salad.
🇫🇷 French: Racine d’iris
🇩🇪 German: Schwertlilienwurzel
🇮🇹 Italian: Radice di iris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Raiz de íris
💡 Nuance: The odd one on this list. Aromatic ingredient, not a bunch of leaves. Violet-like scent after aging.
dried iris root used as a floral aromatic more than as a salad herb
Example: Orris shows up in old gin and perfume formulas, not in a Tuesday salad.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Raíz de lirio / orris🇫🇷 French: Racine d’iris
🇩🇪 German: Schwertlilienwurzel
🇮🇹 Italian: Radice di iris
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Raiz de íris
💡 Nuance: The odd one on this list. Aromatic ingredient, not a bunch of leaves. Violet-like scent after aging.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🌿 Basil vs. 🇹🇭 Thai basil vs. 🇮🇳 Holy basil
Sweet basil is pesto and tomato. Thai basil is licorice-spicy and stands up to a curry. Holy basil is peppery and clove-like for a hot wok.
Sweet basil is pesto and tomato. Thai basil is licorice-spicy and stands up to a curry. Holy basil is peppery and clove-like for a hot wok.
🟢 Parsley vs. 🍋 Cilantro vs. 🌴 Culantro
Parsley is mild. Cilantro is citrusy and polarizing. Culantro is the stronger, heat-proof tropical cousin.
Parsley is mild. Cilantro is citrusy and polarizing. Culantro is the stronger, heat-proof tropical cousin.
🍕 Oregano vs. 💗 Marjoram vs. 🫘 Savory
Oregano shouts. Marjoram is sweeter. Savory is the peppery bean herb.
Oregano shouts. Marjoram is sweeter. Savory is the peppery bean herb.
🐟 Dill vs. 🪶 Fennel fronds
Both feathery. Dill is tangy. Fennel fronds are sweet anise.
Both feathery. Dill is tangy. Fennel fronds are sweet anise.
🍬 Tarragon vs. 🤍 Chervil
Both anise-adjacent. Tarragon is the loud French one. Chervil is mild parsley-anise.
Both anise-adjacent. Tarragon is the loud French one. Chervil is mild parsley-anise.
🌾 Lemongrass vs. 🍋 Lemon balm
Lemongrass is a tough citrus stalk. Lemon balm is a soft mint-family leaf.
Lemongrass is a tough citrus stalk. Lemon balm is a soft mint-family leaf.
🍛 Curry leaves vs. curry powder
Leaves are fried in oil. Powder is a blend. They do not replace each other.
Leaves are fried in oil. Powder is a blend. They do not replace each other.
🌸 Orris
Not a salad bunch. A dried floral root used as an aromatic.
Not a salad bunch. A dried floral root used as an aromatic.
💬 Everyday Herb Phrases
🍋 That looks like parsley. Smell it - it might be cilantro.
the classic mix-up
🇫🇷 On dirait du persil. Sentez: ça peut être de la coriandre.
🇩🇪 Sieht aus wie Petersilie. Riech dran - vielleicht Koriander.
🇮🇹 Sembra prezzemolo. Annusa: potrebbe essere coriandolo.
🇵🇹 Parece salsa. Cheira: pode ser coentro.
the classic mix-up
Show translations
🇪🇸 Parece perejil. Huélelo: puede ser cilantro.🇫🇷 On dirait du persil. Sentez: ça peut être de la coriandre.
🇩🇪 Sieht aus wie Petersilie. Riech dran - vielleicht Koriander.
🇮🇹 Sembra prezzemolo. Annusa: potrebbe essere coriandolo.
🇵🇹 Parece salsa. Cheira: pode ser coentro.
🇹🇭 Thai basil for the curry. Sweet basil for the pesto.
same family, different dish
🇫🇷 Basilic thaï pour le curry. Basilic doux pour le pesto.
🇩🇪 Thai-Basilikum fürs Curry. Süßes Basilikum fürs Pesto.
🇮🇹 Basilico thai per il curry. Basilico dolce per il pesto.
🇵🇹 Manjericão-tailandês no curry. Manjericão doce no pesto.
same family, different dish
Show translations
🇪🇸 Albahaca tailandesa para el curry. Albahaca dulce para el pesto.🇫🇷 Basilic thaï pour le curry. Basilic doux pour le pesto.
🇩🇪 Thai-Basilikum fürs Curry. Süßes Basilikum fürs Pesto.
🇮🇹 Basilico thai per il curry. Basilico dolce per il pesto.
🇵🇹 Manjericão-tailandês no curry. Manjericão doce no pesto.
🍛 Curry leaves, not the yellow powder.
leaf vs. blend
🇫🇷 Des feuilles de curry, pas la poudre jaune.
🇩🇪 Curryblätter, nicht das gelbe Pulver.
🇮🇹 Foglie di curry, non la polvere gialla.
🇵🇹 Folhas de caril, não o pó amarelo.
leaf vs. blend
Show translations
🇪🇸 Hojas de curry, no el polvo amarillo.🇫🇷 Des feuilles de curry, pas la poudre jaune.
🇩🇪 Curryblätter, nicht das gelbe Pulver.
🇮🇹 Foglie di curry, non la polvere gialla.
🇵🇹 Folhas de caril, não o pó amarelo.
🌲 Rosemary can take the oven. Basil wants the end of cooking.
woody vs. tender
🇫🇷 Le romarin tient au four. Le basilic veut la fin de cuisson.
🇩🇪 Rosmarin hält den Ofen aus. Basilikum will ans Ende.
🇮🇹 Il rosmarino regge il forno. Il basilico vuole la fine cottura.
🇵🇹 O alecrim aguenta o forno. O manjericão quer o fim.
woody vs. tender
Show translations
🇪🇸 El romero aguanta el horno. La albahaca quiere el final.🇫🇷 Le romarin tient au four. Le basilic veut la fin de cuisson.
🇩🇪 Rosmarin hält den Ofen aus. Basilikum will ans Ende.
🇮🇹 Il rosmarino regge il forno. Il basilico vuole la fine cottura.
🇵🇹 O alecrim aguenta o forno. O manjericão quer o fim.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise herb word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise herb word.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
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🎯 Accuracy: 0%