Thyme after Thyme Trivia Quiz

Answer: Thymus Vulgaris

Thymus Vulgaris has many different cultivars including the fragrant French and English thymes as well as the Winter and Summer thymes. It is native to the southern areas of Europe and is grown mainly for culinary purposes. It is perennial, which means it should last indefinitely, its leaves are oval and grey green in colour and, if not looked after, its stems can become woody.

Answer: True

The taxonomical name for the mint family is Lamiaceae or Labiatae, though most botanists tend to use the former name. There are some 220 species of thymus (thyme) that belong to this family, the most common being Garden (sometimes called Common) thyme and Lemon thyme. Other culinary herbs that also belong to the mint family include basil, rosemary, sage, marjoram and oregano.

Answer: Sandy

Thyme will thrive in sandy soil. The soil can be neutral to slightly alkaline, however, as thyme is not keen on getting its roots too wet, ensure that the soil drains well. In addition, provide it with a heavy mulching during its first winter to give it some added protection. It will also enjoy a sunny position though, in extremely hot temperatures, it will become vulnerable to diseases. Overall, after a year of established growth it becomes a very easy plant to look after.

Answer: Leaves

Whilst the flowers are used, the leaves are the predominant part associated with culinary pursuits. The leaves can be harvested all through the summer months but the best flavours can be obtained by picking the leaves just as the plant is starting to flower. Regular picking and pruning of the soft stems will prevent the plant from going woody.

When cooking, it is best to remove the leaves from the stem. These should then be crushed or bruised between the fingers to extract the maximum flavour. Thyme is an easy herb to dry. Simply hang the stems in a dry area for 10 to 14 days.

The dried leaves can be stored in a dark place for up to six months. If you do not wish to go down the drying route store them in a plastic bag in the crisper of your fridge or place the stems in a glass of water on a shelf in the fridge. Thyme's ability to aid digestion makes it an ideal herb to use with fatty meats such as lamb, pork and duck, however, it is also a great companion and compliment to salads and soups, sauces, breads, vegetables and desserts.

Answer: Egyptian

The high thymol content that it possesses makes thyme the ideal herb to use as an embalming agent. Apart from the thyme's wonderful scent, its thymol is a highly effective fumigant which would help in killing off bacteria and fungi. There is also some suggestion that thyme is a great agent in assist passage to "the other side" and it is not uncommon to see sprigs of the herb placed inside coffins. Thyme's association with death does not stop there. One of the traditions in Wales is to plant fragrant thyme bushes on graves and the Order of Oddfellows will carry sprigs of the herb to the funeral of a deceased brother and toss it into the grave.

Answer: The Romans

It is believed that the ancient Sumerians were the first to cultivate the herb some 5,000 years ago and then the Greeks welcomed it into their homeland. However, it was the Romans during their great conquests of Europe who took samples of thyme and spread it across the continent. The Romans found that thyme added a delightful flavour to their cheeses and liquors and they prescribed it as a cure for people who suffered from melancholy and shyness. Pliny the Elder recommended the burning of thyme leaves as a means to repel venomous creatures such as scorpions.

Answer: False

There is some suggestion that the genus name for thyme, Thymus, comes from the Greek word thymos or thumos, which deals with the concept of spiritedness and courage. Regardless, it has been seen in a number of cultures as being able to instil bravery within people.

The ancient Romans used to bathe in it prior to battle. During the Middle Ages, the partners of knights would attach sprigs to their men's uniforms in the belief that it would enflame their courage. Scottish Highland warriors would drink a thyme tea prior to hostilities believing that it gave them strength and bravado. This reputation of providing strength and courage was initially put down to thyme's scent and its ability to invigorate senses and lift spirits, but there appears to be more to this than meets the nose.

In aromatherapy it is believed that thyme stimulates the circulatory system and raises low blood pressure, a common cause of lethargy.

Answer: Fairies or Faeries

While thyme, in some circles, is considered to be an aphrodisiac, there are also legends that tell of a magic brew, of which thyme is an essential ingredient, that enabled the imbiber to see fairies. Frankly, I reckon you would need to be drinking something a lot harder to start seeing fairies. Ironically, Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist considered the father of ecology, put forth the notion that tea made from thyme was a sure-fire cure for hangovers.

The link between thyme and fairies does go deeper. William Shakespeare in his play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" portrays Titania, the Queen of the Faeries, going to "a bank whereon the wild thyme blows".

This only added fuel to the English belief that the favourite spot for fairies to play on was a bush of wild thyme.

Answer: Caspar Neumann

Caspar was a priest and, at one time, apothecary to the Count of Berlin. He is best known for his observations of mortality rates in the city of Breslau. Thymol is the a key compound of the oil extracted from thyme and it is a highly effective fungicide and antiseptic.

The extracted oils may have a variance in its chemical compositions (that's natural chemicals) which are bought about by the differences in the areas in which they are grown. Aromatherapists will generally use the milder, yellow essential oils derived from the Sweet or Common thyme.

The oil obtained from Red thyme has a much more aggressive chemical composition, is brown/orange in colour and tends to have a spicier aroma.

Answer: It can help with all of these

Thyme oil is an excellent antiseptic, a stimulant, an expectorant and an antirheumatic. This, however, only scratches the surface of what this wonderful oil can do. Because of its expectorant qualities it is ideal for coughs, sore throats and bronchial issues. Check the constituents of your jar of Vicks Vapour Rub and you'll see thymol on the list.

The warming effects of the oils will serve to improve blood circulation, making it ideal for arthritis sufferers, soothing muscles and assisting in the repair of sprains and sporting injuries. Having said that, there are some warnings to adhere to; First and foremost is to consult your doctor before use.

As mentioned above, thymol is an extremely potent substance and, as a consequence it should be avoided by those with high blood pressure or who are pregnant.