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Best Herb Types in the World
The fragrant Genovese basil is a cultivar of Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), traditionally grown in the Ligurian provinces of Genoa, Savona and Imperia. It has an intense clove aroma and it is widely known for being an essential ingredient of the famous Pesto alla Genovese sauce.
Even though it is available dried, Genovese basil is most often used fresh, added to various dishes at the last moment, in order to preserve its exceptional flavor.
THE BEST Basilico Genovese Basils
Fines herbes is a traditional blend of herbs, including parsley, chives, chervil, and tarragon. Thyme is often added to the four classic ingredients, while savory, watercress, and marjoram are sometimes also included in the mix, but not as often as thyme.
This mild and subtle blend of herbs is especially well suited for poultry, salads, and egg-based dishes. What's important is that all of the herbs should be fresh and not dried for the best possible flavor.
Thym de Provence is an evergreen herb with culinary, medicinal and ornamental uses. It is called Farigoule in Provence and best known as one of the basic components in a classic Bouquet garni or in a spice mixture known as Herbes de Provence.
One of the most fragrant herbs one can grow, Thym de Provence has a lemony aftertaste giving freshness to various stews, marinades, sauces, soups and salads. It blends perfectly with tomatoes, either fresh or processed, fried vegetables, grilled goat cheese or roasted poultry.
Shiso is a Japanese herb with a unique flavor: hints of citrus, mint, basil, anise, and coriander are all incorporated into its tiny leaves, which can be red or green. They are a part of the seven spices of Japan, originating from over 300 years ago in Kyoto.
Green shiso leaves are often used as a garnish for sushi and sashimi, but they are also added to soups and tempuras. Red shiso is mostly used to color umeboshi and pickled ginger. Whether red or green, shiso can be used in a variety of other dishes: mixed into salads, tossed into green tea, added to stir-fries, or chopped and prepared with scrambled eggs.
This world-famous blend of herbs and spices originated in France’s region of Provence, and contains ingredients such as lavender, basil, oregano, fennel, dill, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, and sage. Herbes de Provence are traditionally sold in small clay pots.
The mixture is commonly used as a rub or seasoning for various meat dishes, especially for grilled meats, and it can also be used as a seasoning in soups or stews. When cooked, the herbs soften and release their natural, aromatic flavors. Although these herbs have been used in various combinations in Provence for centuries, the blend that's known today as Herbes de Provence has been marketed under this name since the 1970s.
This small French bundle of herbs is traditionally tied together with butcher’s string to keep the herbs together after they are added to a pot for cooking. This quaint bouquet of fresh herbs usually contains thyme, parsley, and bay leaf, and it lends a bold, herby layer of flavor to any soup, sauce, stock, or casseroles it is added to.
Tying the herbs together in a bundle makes it easy to remove the stems and leaves from the dish, leaving nothing behind except the flavor.
Curry leaves are leaves of the curry tree, which is native to India and Sri Lanka. The leaves are dark green in color, shiny, and aromatic, releasing a unique, nutty aroma when fried in oil. They are a staple of South Indian cuisine, used in the same way as bay leaves are used in Western cuisines.
The leaves soften significantly when cooked and are usually used as a flavoring to rice, chutneys, dals, soups, and stews. They are such a staple of Indian cuisine that the Tamil word for them is karibeppilai, which is literally translated to the leaf that is used to make curry.
Mainly grown in the community of Villarosa, Sicilian rosemary is one the most widely used spices in the local cuisine. Leaves and flowers are harvested during summer and left to dry in dark, well-ventilated places before being packed in glass jars, paper or plastic bags, where they can last for a very long time.
This wonderfully fragrant herb is used to flavor meats, fish, or vegetables, and it will turn any simple bread or focaccia into a true delicacy. Although it is much more often used in savory dishes, it works well in desserts, too.
Holy basil or tulsi is one of the varieties of basil originating from India. This plant has violet flowers and blossoms, while the stems are green with a purple tinge. It is much spicier than the other varieties of basil, so it's often called hot basil.
The leaves, seeds, and stems are often used for medicinal preparations, while the leaves are a staple of many Thai dishes due to their spicy flavor. Holy basil has numerous health benefits and it's used to treat stress, common cold, asthma, heart disease, fever, headache, and diabetes.
Prezzemolo Sardo is a variety of flat-leaf Italian parsley from Sardinia, grown mainly around the community of Sestu. It is widely used in local cuisine - parsley is generally one of the most commonly used herbs in the culinary arts, and while prezzemolo Sardo is smaller in size than other varieties found on the market, its tiny, dark green leaves and slender stems are packed with flavor.
The stems have more flavor and aroma than the leaves, which makes them a perfect ingredient for flavoring stocks, soups, or sauces, while the leaves are best added to a dish at the last minute, because they lose their flavor if cooked too long. Nowadays, prezzemolo Sardo is not produced on a large scale, so it is only available in specialized food stores, or in Sestu, where it can be bought directly from the producers.
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Best Herb Producers in the World
"Il Pesto di Pra'" is a family-owned company based in Pra', near Genoa in Italy, which has been cultivating basil and producing traditional Genoese pesto for nearly two centuries. Their pesto is known for its high quality and freshness, thanks to the careful selection of ingredients and dedication to traditional recipes.
The company uses basil grown in its own greenhouses in Pra' and combines it with carefully selected ingredients such as Italian pine nuts, garlic from the finest Italian crops, PDO Pecorino Romano cheese, Italian coarse sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, and a selection of Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano PDO cheeses.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
BEST Wycombe Chefs Table Herbs and Spices
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Best Herbs in the World
AWARDS

Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars
2022
Lúcia-lima is a refreshing and rejuvenating herbal infusion made from 100% pure Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) leaves, sourced from the Soalheiro territory. This organic tea offers a citrusy, aromatic flavor, with a delightful lemony zest that is both invigorating and calming.
Its light, crisp taste makes it a perfect choice for relaxation or as a digestive aid. Free from caffeine, dairy, and gluten, Soalheiro Lemon Verbena is a refreshing, versatile tea ideal for all, especially those seeking a gentle, natural way to unwind.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2022
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.