FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about The Thyme Machine
Quiz about The Thyme Machine

The Thyme Machine Trivia Quiz


The day I was invited to the laboratories of the mysterious and eccentric Professor Herb Spicenracker was a day I would never forget. See what happened when I took a trip in the contraption which was only to be known as 'The Thyme Machine'.

A photo quiz by kyleisalive. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Hobbies Trivia
  6. »
  7. Food & Drink
  8. »
  9. Herbs and Spices

Author
kyleisalive
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
339,345
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
7841
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: biddybid (9/10), suzywoozie53 (10/10), Dangj61 (10/10).
-
Question 1 of 10
1. The esteemed professor straps me into the machine and assures me that all will be well before putting on a helmet and standing behind a protective barrier. Before I have a chance to sign a waiver, he throws the switch and I immediately smell an aroma familiar from a number of teas, jellies, and mojitos. What herb am I likely experiencing? Hint


photo quiz
Question 2 of 10
2. I feel nauseous as I look up to discover that the laboratory has disappeared. While I'm still strapped into the chair I can see a forest of laurel trees. I can smell the bark from where I sit and it reminds me of spicy candy hearts and apple pie. What spice is likely the cause? Hint


photo quiz
Question 3 of 10
3. The contraption shudders and shakes and soon I'm whisked away to another part of the world. The machine comes to a rest in India in a grove of green plants. This particular herb, I recall, is one of the main ingredients in Italian pesto. What must be planted nearby? Hint


photo quiz
Question 4 of 10
4. I close my eyes as my seat moves to another time and place and before I know it, I've arrived. With my eyes still closed, I can smell the next spice and remember it's commonly used in a very specific bread and also in a specific type of ale. Which of these names fits the bill? Hint


photo quiz
Question 5 of 10
5. The next time the Thyme Machine begins its motions I've been placed in a warm field of green herbs. Although they look delectable growing at my sides, I know that these are likely to be dried out and used in an Italian pizza or to season fish. What often bitter herb is this? Hint


photo quiz
Question 6 of 10
6. Another hop, skip, and jump in the Professor's infernal machine takes me to a forest of pods in Madagascar. Picking an opening pod off a tree, I realize that the bean inside is actually a rather famous spice used in ice cream and chocolate (though I'm not holding a cacao bean)! What spice, often used in baking, is it?

Answer: (One Word)
photo quiz
Question 7 of 10
7. I lurch ahead and find myself overlooking a cucumber patch. Amongst these vegetables, I notice sprigs of thin herbs commonly used as herbs though their seeds are commonly used as spices. What substance am I overlooking here under the bright sun? Hint


photo quiz
Question 8 of 10
8. Uh oh. The machine has landed in trouble this time- it's squashed a number of these beautiful purple flowers. That'll cost us! It's actually the red threads of this flower that are used in cooking. What is the name of this spice? Hint


photo quiz
Question 9 of 10
9. Another rattling motion and another swirl through time and space brings me to an Italian grove to find this green herb. Sniffing the plants around me, I smell a pleasing aroma. What is this herb known for its medicinal uses and its typical purpose as a garnish? Hint


photo quiz
Question 10 of 10
10. The chair shifts and rocks as I'm finally transported back to the Professor's laboratory. While he removes the straps from my body I notice that I'm clutching one final herb from my trip. This particular specimen, although good with lamb and stews, is also an ingredient in most antiseptics and mouthwash. I must have a sprig of which herb? Hint


photo quiz

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




View Image Attributions for This Quiz

Most Recent Scores
Mar 23 2024 : biddybid: 9/10
Mar 20 2024 : suzywoozie53: 10/10
Mar 14 2024 : Dangj61: 10/10
Mar 07 2024 : Taltarzac: 7/10
Mar 06 2024 : Buddy1: 10/10
Mar 04 2024 : ziggythepooh: 9/10
Mar 01 2024 : Guest 173: 10/10
Feb 28 2024 : Ailyth: 9/10
Feb 21 2024 : Guest 108: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The esteemed professor straps me into the machine and assures me that all will be well before putting on a helmet and standing behind a protective barrier. Before I have a chance to sign a waiver, he throws the switch and I immediately smell an aroma familiar from a number of teas, jellies, and mojitos. What herb am I likely experiencing?

Answer: Mint

Mmmmm...mint. The flavour of wonderful candies, the perfect match for ice cream and chocolate chips, and the thing that makes some gum worth chewing. Mint is an herb leaf from the Lamiaceae family (known specifically for mints) and it can be found all around the world.

It's fairly popular appearing in many international dishes from breakfast to deserts and it also comes in variations such as Spearmint and Peppermint. Mint is known for its relaxing aroma which is known to quell stomach aches and is frequently seen in 'sleepytime' teas. Mint jelly is commonly paired with lamb because of their complementary flavours while the mixed drink known as the mojito uses sprigs of fresh mint, lime juice, sugar, and white rum to make a refreshing Cuban cocktail. Regardless, mint tends to be a crowd-pleaser...and hey, fresh breath is to be enjoyed by all.
2. I feel nauseous as I look up to discover that the laboratory has disappeared. While I'm still strapped into the chair I can see a forest of laurel trees. I can smell the bark from where I sit and it reminds me of spicy candy hearts and apple pie. What spice is likely the cause?

Answer: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is harvested from specific trees which originated in Asia but which spread throughout the world, particularly those in the Cinnamomum genus; cinnamon itself is harvested from the bark of these plants. Nevertheless, cinnamon production is nearly exclusive to Eastern Asia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, the last of which is actually the native country of the main cinnamon tree species. Surprisingly, cinnamon is pounded and distilled in seawater giving it its distinctive flavouring.

It's used in many dishes around the world as a 'hot' spice, particularly in the Middle East and Mexico but it's also ideal for baking. Cinnamon buns, candy hearts, and cinnamon sugar all remain popular dessert items while alcoholic drinks such as Goldschlager contain cinnamon.
3. The contraption shudders and shakes and soon I'm whisked away to another part of the world. The machine comes to a rest in India in a grove of green plants. This particular herb, I recall, is one of the main ingredients in Italian pesto. What must be planted nearby?

Answer: Basil

This herb obviously couldn't be coriander as those would be the seeds of a cilantro plant. Also, turmeric is a powder used in East Asian cooking.
Basil, however, is quite a common herb, at least in Eurasian dishes. It grows in good sunlight and while its growth was originally confined to India, its popularity in local dishes spread throughout Asia and Europe over the centuries. Oddly, its name is derived from the name of a Greek emperor.
Basil pesto is made with olive oil, fine garlic, pine nuts, and basil, of course. Other versions of pesto consisting of sun-dried tomatoes or spinach and can also be found but they are less common in authentic Italian dishes.
4. I close my eyes as my seat moves to another time and place and before I know it, I've arrived. With my eyes still closed, I can smell the next spice and remember it's commonly used in a very specific bread and also in a specific type of ale. Which of these names fits the bill?

Answer: Ginger

Not to be confused with Geri Halliwell, ginger spice is a spicy herb used in Asian cooking. The dried ginger depicted would likely be grated, peeled, or finely chopped before being used in any dishes. Most of the world's ginger supply is grown in India and China. The specific bread mentioned would be gingerbread, commonly used to build cute Christmas houses during the holidays and men with gumdrop buttons, and the specific ale would be ginger ale, a popular carbonated drink which is often used to soothe feelings of nausea. Because of its long-standing popularity as a remedy for minor ailments, ginger is often recommended by those who prefer natural elements.
5. The next time the Thyme Machine begins its motions I've been placed in a warm field of green herbs. Although they look delectable growing at my sides, I know that these are likely to be dried out and used in an Italian pizza or to season fish. What often bitter herb is this?

Answer: Oregano

Oregano is a Mediterranean herb grown in relatively warm weather. Once dried it can be chopped into a finer form to be sprinkled and used as seasoning in Italian dishes. Known for its bitterness, oregano is usually used to season light meats (e.g. fish) or add flavour to pizza and pasta sauces. A Mexican strain of the herb is often used for the same taste.
Oregano is a popular Western spice, and like basil it's often grown indoors in herb gardens. It's used in a number of recipes worldwide, so it's a pretty common name on the spice rack. Like basil again, it's part of the mint family.
6. Another hop, skip, and jump in the Professor's infernal machine takes me to a forest of pods in Madagascar. Picking an opening pod off a tree, I realize that the bean inside is actually a rather famous spice used in ice cream and chocolate (though I'm not holding a cacao bean)! What spice, often used in baking, is it?

Answer: Vanilla

While vanilla was originally native to Mexico, different strains of vanilla have been harvested for decades in Central America, Brazil, China, Madagascar, and Indonesia. Vanilla has a very distinct flavour and is quite well-known worldwide. Due to the difficulty of procuring and harvesting vanilla beans, it has been known as one of the most expensive spices in its concentrated form.
In ice cream, chocolate, and other sweets, artificial vanilla is most frequently used because of the high costs of its natural form. The same flavouring is used in a number of cosmetics due to its pleasing aroma.
Cacao beans, grown in South America and Western Africa, are neither herbs nor spices though they are grown as flavouring. Cacao is the natural seed used in the production of chocolate and they look quite unlike the vanilla bean pod; they're similar to coffee beans but larger.
7. I lurch ahead and find myself overlooking a cucumber patch. Amongst these vegetables, I notice sprigs of thin herbs commonly used as herbs though their seeds are commonly used as spices. What substance am I overlooking here under the bright sun?

Answer: Dill

Dill is second to none when making pickles; it's not surprising that it grows so well with cucumbers in a garden. Dill is an herb best suited for fish and cold vegetable dishes as well as a number of Thai and Indian recipes. When placed in brine with cucumbers, the dill stalk or leaves are typically used to add flavour- and thus we have the dill pickle.
Dill, which originated in Eastern Europe (in Russia), can be found all over Eurasia and Western Africa and is best grown in the sunshine. Dill will lose its taste when it dries out, so keep it fresh!
8. Uh oh. The machine has landed in trouble this time- it's squashed a number of these beautiful purple flowers. That'll cost us! It's actually the red threads of this flower that are used in cooking. What is the name of this spice?

Answer: Saffron

Saffron, the spice, is made from the red stigmas found in the center of the saffron flower, a beautiful purple plant grown in many regions of the eastern hemisphere (including Greece, Spain, Iran, Japan, etc.). Saffron is known as the world's most expensive spice (vanilla comes a distant second) because many saffron flowers only yield a trio of stigmas to be used in cooking.

As a result, many countries harvest saffron from farms. Saffron's taste is distinctly bitter but it's used in a number of regional dishes including Spanish paella, Indian saffron rice, and Indian's national dish, chelow kabab, which includes saffron-infused basmati rice. Saffron is also used for dying purposes.

When used in textiles, it produces an orange-yellow colour much unlike its flower petals or red threads.
9. Another rattling motion and another swirl through time and space brings me to an Italian grove to find this green herb. Sniffing the plants around me, I smell a pleasing aroma. What is this herb known for its medicinal uses and its typical purpose as a garnish?

Answer: Parsley

While many would probably be unsurprised to find a sprig of parsley on top of a plate of spaghetti, a piece of fish, a steak, or a thick soup, it's also quite the healthy herb. It contains a number of antioxidants and is full of Vitamin K. Because of its abundance, it's one of the most used herbs in the world; it's grown around the Mediterranean in the sun (but in thick, moist soils).
Parsley is often grown in gardens alongside tomatoes and grows not only in the commonly used leaf variety, but as a root vegetable used in European stews.
10. The chair shifts and rocks as I'm finally transported back to the Professor's laboratory. While he removes the straps from my body I notice that I'm clutching one final herb from my trip. This particular specimen, although good with lamb and stews, is also an ingredient in most antiseptics and mouthwash. I must have a sprig of which herb?

Answer: Thyme

Thyme is an often-dried herb with a rather strong aroma used to add a strong smell to Middle Eastern, European, and North African dishes. Many opt to use thyme in preparing lamb or to season eggs. It's best used when it's dried out and it's quite good at retaining its strong flavour.

This is particularly true for thyme in tea; it's quite popular in this form to cure coughs or throat issues. Thyme's main component, thymol, is found in most antiseptic cleaners including mouthwash and hand sanitizers. Adversely, according to anti-smoking companies, thymol is one of nearly six hundred ingredients in cigarettes. I guess there's a thyme and a place, right?
Source: Author kyleisalive

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
3/28/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us