Simply put, dried herbs are herbs that have been intentionally dried to help preserve their flavor and create a shelf-stable herb that will last for a longer time. Herbs that have been recently dried usually have a stronger flavor, which means that you can use less of them to achieve the same result. If you purchase dried herbs that are lacking in flavor, it may be worth checking when they were packaged. Dried herbs that have been sitting on a shelf for longer than a year tend to lose their flavor and not be as potent.
Fresh herbs are a healthy way to take some of your favorite dishes to the next level. Adding fresh herbs at the end of the cooking process, or using them to garnish a meal before serving, adds a delicious depth of flavor to a recipe. Fresh herbs are usually classified into two categories: hard herbs and soft herbs. Rosemary and thyme are hard herbs and often too potent to be eaten raw. While they can be enjoyed fresh, hard herbs taste best when cooked into the meal they're flavoring. Soft herbs like basil and parsley often have a lighter flavor and are best enjoyed raw when added to salads or when stirred into cooked dishes.
Though many grocery stores carry fresh herbs, they're also easy to grow! Whether you live in an apartment in the city or have a garden of your own, with the right supplies, you can quickly grow fresh herbs to pull from when cooking.
