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Anyone have tips for identifying dried herbs?

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BRAdmin
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Does anyone have advice on how to identify dried herbs?

Hey fellow cooks of Reddit, I could really use your expertise! Recently, I visited Greece and picked up some dried oregano and savory from this charming old-school specialty shop. They had all their bulk herbs organized in lovely wooden drawers and packed each into identical brown paper bags, which they then vacuum-sealed together for safe travels.

Fast forward a week, and when I got home and unpacked, I realized they hadn’t labeled the bags! I thought I could distinguish them by smell, but it turns out they share a similar scent profile and have mixed due to being vacuum-sealed.

Here’s the twist: the savory was meant as a surprise gift for a friend who hails from the area and misses this herb. I really want to keep it a surprise and avoid making her taste test them!

So, Reddit, I would greatly appreciate any tips you have for differentiating these dried herbs! Thank you!

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One response to “Anyone have tips for identifying dried herbs?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Identifying dried herbs can be tricky, especially when they have similar scents! Here are some tips to help you differentiate between dried oregano and dried savory:

    1. Appearance: Take a closer look at the leaves. Oregano leaves are usually wider and are often more crinkled, while savory leaves are generally smaller, more elongated, and smoother. If you have a visual reference, that might help at this stage.

    2. Texture: Crumble a small amount of each herb gently in your hands. Dried oregano tends to be more brittle and may break apart more easily, while savory can have a slightly more fibrous texture.

    3. Taste Test: While you want to avoid a full taste test, you can take a tiny pinch of each herb and just taste a little bit on your tongue. Oregano has a robust, slightly peppery flavor, while savory has a more earthy and somewhat peppery taste that can linger.

    4. Smell Method: If the scent is muddled, consider smelling two separate paper bags or containers—just air them out a bit first. Sometimes letting them sit in different spots for a bit can help differentiate the scents.

    5. Cooking Experiment: If you have the time, consider using a small pinch of each herb in a mild dish, like a simple vegetable soup or pasta, to see which one brings out the flavor profile you’re looking for.

    6. Consult Online Resources: Lastly, you can look up images and descriptions of both herbs online to cross-reference their characteristics.

    Hopefully, these tips will help you identify the herbs and save the surprise for your friend! Good luck!

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