The largest quantities are exported as whole dried leaves, which are removed from the stem.

Dried leaves and flowers can be packed and traded whole, cut or further processed into powder by grounding. Direct sun drying is not recommended as it negatively influences flavour and colour. Thyme can be dried either naturally or with the use of hot air. Thyme is now grown in many countries around the world. Thymus serpyllum and Thymus pulegioides also grow in the wild in all European countries. Thymus zygis is indigenous to Portugal and Spain. Common thyme is native to Southern Europe, from Spain to Italy. Thyme is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, especially in the Iberian Peninsula and in Northwest Africa. Thyme is also used as a fresh culinary herb or as raw material to produce essential oils, extracts, and oleoresins. Other Thymus species are also dried to be used as a culinary or medical herb, including Thymus zygis (Spanish thyme), Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme) and Thymus pulegioides (large thyme). The most widely spread species of the Thymus genus used to produce dried thyme is Thymus vulgaris or common thyme.

Which trends offer opportunities on the European dried thyme market?ĭried thyme is the product obtained by drying the leaves and flowers of fresh thyme.

Which European countries offer most opportunities for dried thyme?.What makes Europe an interesting market for dried thyme?.

Thyme in spanish herb