Thyme

Why we love this botanical

T hyme has a powerful, aromatic herbal quality with Mediterranean resin and citrus tones. The small leaves give infusions a distinct, warm herbal profile that evokes sunny hills and kitchen aromas. In blends, thyme brings clarity, depth, and a pronounced yet elegant herbal signature.

During steeping, layers of green freshness develop, followed by warm, dry herbal notes and a long, aromatic finish. Thyme can take an infusion from soft and friendly to culinarily exciting. Used sparingly, it gives floral, citrus-rich, or earthy blends a precise structure and a mature, gastronomic touch.

Habitat & Origin

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) thrives in the rocky, sun-drenched hills of the Mediterranean, where poor calcareous soils and intense sun concentrate the aromatic terpenes. The plant is cut by hand during flowering, and after drying, leaves are stripped from stems for a pure profile. Maison Tisane selects thyme based on leaf size, color, and scent intensity: fine green-gray leaf with a warm, clear kitchen-herb signature.

Active compounds

Thyme contains thymol, carvacrol, and resinous terpenes that form the warm, Mediterranean herbal quality and fresh top note. Light bitters provide a dry, aromatic aftertaste with culinary precision. In blends, thyme brings clarity, tension, and a sunny herbal layer that refines both citrus and flowers.

The Thymus vulgaris, pure and in full growth

Ayurvedic approach

Thyme belongs in Ayurveda to the warm, aromatic herbs that clarify Kapha and touch Vata neutrally, while Pitta is approached with care due to the heat. In Mediterranean highlands, thyme was considered 'shepherd's air': a scent that hung over sun-drenched hills when plants were in bloom. Thus the herb was linked to clarity, simplicity, and mountain life. Energetically, thyme feels like warm wind along rocks — precise, purifying, and subtly activating.

Thermal energy (Virya) light heating

Pitta

Increasing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light increasing

Vata

neutral

Increasing Balancing

Effect: neutral

Kapha

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: strong balancing

Flavour profile & Blending

Intensity

Strong

Accessibility

Accessible

Character

lingering, spicy, vegetal, resinous, sharp

Role in the blend

Strong herb (2.5–5%): contributes noticeably to the flavour profile and should be dosed with care.

The indicated percentage refers to the approximate weight proportion of this herb within the total blend, but it can of course be adjusted to give the herb a more dominant or more subtle role.

Thyme supports with an aromatic, sunny herbal quality that gives direction to citrus, flowers, and root tones. It makes lemongrass and lemon verbena warmer and more complex, gives chamomile and linden blossom a Mediterranean framing, and keeps licorice root and rooibos less heavy. In combination with sage, hyssop, or rosemary, an aromatic culinary herb profile is created that makes blends mature, savory, and structured. Thyme acts as a precision line that gives a blend body and clarity.

Thyme combines beautifully with roasted vegetables, lemon-potato dishes, goat cheese, cauliflower puree, tomato tart, and bread with olive oil. The warm herbal quality gives depth to subtle flavors and brings tension to creamy or sweet preparations. Also in desserts like lemon tart or honey pastries, thyme offers an elegant Mediterranean lift.

More flavour details

Selection guide (aroma directions)

Intensity

Freshness

Citrus

Fruity

Floral

Spicy / Herbal

Earthy / Woody

Food pairing (structure)

Sweetness

Sourness

Bitterness

Astringency

Body

Aftertaste length

Sharpness / Pungency

Blending notes: vegetal (6/10), resinous (6/10), umami (3/10)

Experience Thyme

Discover the versatility of this botanical in our blends, or use it as the foundation for your own creation in our Blendstudio.

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Spring Comfort

spiced & resilient

from € 8.53

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Ancient Herb

green & wild

from € 8.11

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Why we love this botanical