They bring food to life.
Whenever I cook, there's a good chance you'll find fresh coriander or mint somewhere on my kitchen counter.
Those are the two herbs I use the most.
Fresh coriander is one of my favourite ingredients, especially in Indian and Surinamese dishes.
It adds freshness, colour and so much flavour.
Mint is just as versatile.
Sometimes I add it to my tea.
Sometimes I mix it into a homemade Indian yoghurt sauce.
And other times I use it in my cooking.
It's one of those herbs that always seems to make a dish feel lighter and fresher.
If I had to choose just one herb that I could never live without, it would probably be thyme.
I absolutely love the flavour.
I use it fresh whenever I can, but dried thyme works beautifully too.
Although I have to admit, fresh herbs always have a little more flavour.
Whenever I buy herbs, I always do the same thing.
I look at them carefully.
I smell them.
Fresh herbs should smell alive.
That's usually the easiest way to tell if they're good quality.
For me, an Indian curry simply isn't the same without fresh herbs.
They add that final layer of flavour that dried herbs just can't completely replace.
One of the things I enjoy most is growing herbs myself.
My father-in-law has a vegetable garden where he grows all kinds of herbs and vegetables.
Everything is grown naturally, and you can really taste the difference.
Whenever I can, I take a small cutting home.
I especially love doing this with mint because it grows incredibly fast.
Before you know it, you have a whole new plant.
Growing your own herbs is surprisingly satisfying.
You know exactly where they come from.
You know exactly how they were grown.
And of course, they're completely fresh.
Not every herb has to be used immediately.
When I find a good deal at the local market, I often buy a large amount.
Then I dry them slowly in a low-temperature oven before grinding them into homemade dried herbs.
It's simple, it saves money and I always know exactly what's in my spice jars.
Some herbs can even be used for much more than cooking.
For example, rosemary can be turned into rosemary oil, which many people use as part of their hair care routine.
Mint can also be used in different ways, from tea to homemade oils.
I love discovering all the possibilities herbs have to offer.
Cooking has taught me that the smallest ingredients often make the biggest difference.
A handful of fresh coriander.
A few leaves of mint.
A pinch of thyme.
They may seem like small details, but they can completely transform a meal.
That's why fresh herbs will always have a place in my kitchen.
Not just because they taste amazing.
But because they remind me that the best cooking starts with simple, fresh ingredients.
Love,
Shavida
