Provence is a land of great diversity, with accents that are instantly recognisable, blazing sunshine almost all year round, and a region renowned for its gastronomy!
From legendary dishes like Bouillabaisse to sweet treats like candied fruit and calissons d’Aix, Provence is bursting with flavours and tastes, thanks in no small part to its aromatic herbs.
Today, we’re highlighting the herbs of Provence, unique to the region!
Provence herbs: a bouquet of flavour
In Provence, people have always taken advantage of what nature has to offer!
For centuries, the people of Provence have been picking thyme, rosemary, savory and oregano by hand in the garrigue.
Our garrigues are mainly composed of rocky, very arid and very chalky soils. It’s thanks to these very special conditions that Provençal herbs thrive in the region.
The shortage of water gives Provence herbs their high concentration of essential oils and their distinctive flavour.
Provençal herbs are mainly used for barbecued meats and to flavour dishes typical of the region (Daube, ratatouille, Pied-paquet…).
What is the composition of Provence herbs?
Provence herbs smell like holidays and taste like sunshine.
Its composition has been designed to delight the taste buds of even the most demanding gourmets!
Herbes de Provence is made up of 27% Rosemary, 27% Oregano, 27% Savory and 19% Thyme.
Nothing more, nothing less!
Did you know the origin of the name Provence Herb?
One day, a company had the brilliant idea of grouping these herbs together and marketing them under the name ‘Provence Herbs’.
It was an instant success!
Provence herbs: a Provençal Red Label!
The success of this blend has led to a proliferation of herbes de Provence labels, so much so that we’re no longer quite sure that herbes de Provence actually come from our region.
To remedy this situation, the cooperative in Trets, in the Bouches du Rhône region, with the help of local farmers, has created a new red label with very strict specifications.
To qualify for the Label Rouge, Provence herbs are tested. They must contain twice as much essential oil as non-labelled herbs.
They must also have had their branches removed and have undergone a strict minimum of handling before being used to flavour our dishes.
So the farmers of Provence need to keep their fields well watered!
Plaisirs et Maisons de Provence invites you to stay in one of its holiday rentals and discover our beautiful garrigues, where our delicious Provencal herbs grow wild.
We invite you to contact our agency Plaisirs & Maisons de Provence or to request a tailor-made quote by clicking on this link.