Culinary Chemistry - What Are the Differences Between Culinary Herbs?

Culinary Chemistry - What Are the Differences Between Culinary Herbs?Carrots, cabbage, parsley, and dill are the three most popular herbs in cooking. While these three plants have a common rootstock (the bulb), their differences make each one's culinary usage unique. Let's examine the three herbs and discuss how they differ from each other.Garlic. I personally think of garlic as something that should be eaten raw. However, it has been used for centuries to cure various problems, and many people use it as a topping in many dishes. Like other herbs, garlic has a very different rootstock. It's all in the wordings and the way they are gathered.Ginger. This little herb looks a lot like parsley, but doesn't taste much like it. It is widely used as a seasoning or flavoring in many dishes. It too has a very different rootstock, but only the leaves are used.Lemon. Lemon has a sweet, slightly tangy flavor that's distinctive from its parent plant. Lemon oil is a favorite in cooking, while lemon juice or zest is used in salads. The benefits of lemon are numerous, including its antibacterial properties.Cabbage. The cabbage family can be considered one of the most diverse of all foods because there are so many different types of plants. Cabbage, the most common type of this family, comes from the lily family, including lily of the valley, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.Bitter cabbages were one of the earliest types of plants to be recognized as an important cooking ingredient. They have an old tradition in Chinese cooking and became very popular after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Cabbage is an extremely versatile vegetable because it can be cooked with almost anything. Itcan be cooked in salads, as a side dish, and in stews. For good cabbage recipes, check out what Ismael Momen and chef Michael Ruhlman have to say.Cabbage, like garlic, has an 'old world' flavor that many people find appealing. This is the reason why it's important to distinguish the two when cooking. When a recipe calls for garlic, it is generally a more traditional style. But when a recipe calls for cabbages, you should substitute the appropriate kind. Be sure to cook your cabbages thoroughly or the flavors will be ruined.There are many other cooking herbs that can be substituted to add complexity and flavor to any dish. Experiment and try new herbs to create a distinctive flavor in your next meal.