The type of herb and the type of food for which it is used influence the time to add it during food preparation:

• Adding FRESH herbs during cooking. As a rule, add fresh herbs near the end of the cooking time or just before serving as prolonged heating can cause flavor and aroma losses.

• Add the more delicate fresh herbs such as basil, chives, cilantro, dill leaves, parsley, marjoram and mint a minute or two before the end of cooking or sprinkle them on the food before it is served.

• The less delicate fresh herbs, such as dill seeds, oregano, rosemary, tarragon and thyme, can be added about the last 20 minutes of cooking.

For some foods, such as breads, batters, etc., you’ll need to add fresh herbs at the beginning of the cooking process.

Adding DRIED herbs and spices during cooking. Follow these tips and techniques for best taste when adding dried spices and herbs during cooking.

Whole dried spices and herbs (such as whole allspice and bay leaves):

• Release their flavors slower than crumbled or ground ones.

• Are ideal for dishes cooking an hour or more, such as soups and stews.

Ground dried spices and herbs:

• Release their flavor quickly.

• May taste best in shorter-cooker recipes or added nearer the end of longer-cooking ones.

Crumbled dried herbs may differ:

• Milder herbs (such as basil) may flavor best added toward the end of cooking.

• More robust herbs (such as thyme) can stand longer cooking periods.

• Freshly grinding spices (such as black pepper and nutmeg) provides more flavor than buying them already ground. This also applies to using them in uncooked foods.

• Secure whole spices, such as cloves, in a tea ball for easy removal at the end of cooking.

Warning: Remove bay leaves at the end of cooking.

They can be a choking hazard if left in foods and can cause harmful cuts and scratches in your throat and esophagus.

UNCOOKED foods. For uncooked foods, add both fresh and dried spices and herbs several hours before serving to allow flavors to blend.

To be Continued.....