On food and cooking the science and lore of the kitchen ( PDFDrive ) 778

oregano because they contain carvacrol.
Distinctive thyme species and varieties are
richinthephenoliccompoundcalledthymol.
Thymol is a kinder, gentler version of
carvacrol, penetrating and spicy, but not as
aggressivelyso.It’sthismoderatequalitythat
probably endeared thymol thyme to the
French, and that makes it a more versatile
flavoring than oregano and savory; European
cookshavelonguseditinmeatandvegetable
dishesofallkinds.Despiteitsgentleraroma,
thymolisaspowerfulachemicalascarvacrol,
whichiswhythymeoilhaslongbeenusedas
an antimicrobial agent in mouthwashes and
skincreams.
TheCarrotFamily

Thoughthecarrotfamilygavefewerflavoring
plantstoEuropethanthemintfamily,itis
remarkableforincludingseveralthatprovide
aromaticinterestasbothherbandspice,and


someevenasvegetables.Membersofthe
carrotfamilygrowinlessextremeconditions
thantheMediterraneanmints,aregenerally
tenderbiennialsratherthanshrubbyorwoody
perennials,andhaveflavorsthataregenerally
milder,sometimesevensweet.Theseeds
(actuallysmalldryfruits)mayhavechemical
defenses—andthereforearespices—

becausethey’refairlylargeandtemptingto
insectsandbirds.Oneterpene,myristicin,
sharedbydill,parsley,fennel,andcarrots,
andgivingthemacommonwoody,warm
note,isthoughttobeadefenseagainstmolds.
Thearomaticcompoundsarestoredinoil
canalswithintheleaves,underlargeand
smallveins,andaregenerallyfoundin
smallerquantitiesthantheexternallystored
defensesofthemintfamily.
Angelica Angelica is a large, rangy plant of
northern Europe,Angelica archangelica, that
has fresh, pine, and citrus notes, but is