Herbs and Spices of Provence

Herbes de Provence, famous world-wide, add flavor to the Beyond region. Rosemary (romarin), sage (sauge), origan (origan), marjoram (marjolaine) and savory (sarriette) are used alone or in different mixtures together to give Provençal cooking its unique taste and smell. A typical jar of Herbes de Provence lists " savory , rosemary (romarin), (serpolet), marjoram (marjolaine), origan (origan), (basilic), thyme (thym) in variable proportions".

Some of these plants, such and rosemary and thyme, grow so abundantly that they are almost always present in even the most remote areas, adding fragrance to hikes thorough the hills.

A few pots growing on the kitchen window sill provide instant fresh herbs for cooking, and the plants strategically located around the outdoor barbeque provide handfuls of flavoring to be thrown directly onto the sizzling steaks and chops.

The herbs of Provence, dried and mixed together in small cloth sacks for sale in gift shops and grocery stores, are popular with tourists and visitors, allowing them to take some of the flavor of the region home with them. The small sacks add a lovely fragrance in kitchens and closets.