Dried Tarragon vs. Dried Thyme - Nutrition and Health Impact Comparison

Introduction

Although both are spices with distinct aromas, tarragon and thyme have a lot of differences in terms of the nutrients they provide. This article will compare the nutritional values and health impacts of dried tarragon and thyme (1, 2).

Taste and Use

Tarragon has a delicate flavor with hints of anise or licorice. It is slightly sweet with a mild bitterness. Thyme has a more robust and earthy flavor with subtle floral and minty notes. It is less sweet and more pungent compared to tarragon.

Tarragon has a pleasant, aromatic scent, often described as a mix of anise and vanilla. Thyme has a strong, herbaceous aroma, which can vary slightly depending on the specific thyme variety.

Tarragon is commonly used in French cuisine and pairs well with chicken, fish, and egg dishes. It is a key ingredient in sauces like Béarnaise and tartare sauce. Tarragon is also a component of the classic herb blend "Fines Herbes."

Thyme is widely used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. It complements various meats, roasted vegetables, and tomato-based dishes. It is often included in spice blends like Herbes de Provence and Za'atar. Thyme is excellent for adding depth to hearty and savory dishes. It stands up well to longer cooking times and is perfect for stews, soups, and roasted meats.

Nutrition

The nutritional infographics below are presented for 100g servings of dried thyme and tarragon. However, these spices are naturally not used in such large quantities at once. One average serving of these spices per person is 1 teaspoon, equal to 0.6g for tarragon and 1g for thyme.

Macronutrients and Calories

Spices, including tarragon and thyme, are very nutrient-dense. Both are made up of 8% water and 92% nutrients. 

Thyme is higher in carbohydrates, while tarragon contains more protein.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Tarragon

2

Protein: 22.77 g

Fats: 7.24 g

Carbs: 50.22 g

Water: 7.74 g

Other: 12.03 g

Dried thyme

3

Protein: 9.11 g

Fats: 7.43 g

Carbs: 63.94 g

Water: 7.79 g

Other: 11.73 g

Contains more ProteinProtein

+149.9%

Contains more CarbsCarbs

+27.3%

~equal in Fats ~7.43g

~equal in Water ~7.79g

~equal in Other ~11.73g

Vitamins

Spices, being very dense in micronutrients, can be a good way to add more vitamins to a dish.

Tarragon is a better source of most vitamins, providing 4 times more vitamin B6 and 3 times more vitamin B2. It is also richer in vitamins B3 and A.

That being said, thyme is 2 times richer in vitamin B1.

These two spices are equally rich in vitamins A, C, and B9 or folate.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Tarragon

3

Dried thyme

4

Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+235.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+81.2%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+338.2%

Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1

+104.4%

~equal in Vitamin C ~50mg

~equal in Vitamin A ~3800IU

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B5 ~mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

~equal in Folate ~274µg

Minerals

Thyme can be considered the winner in the mineral category. It provides 4 times more iron and is richer in calcium, zinc, and copper. Thyme is also somewhat lower in sodium.

On the other hand, tarragon is 4 times richer in potassium and has more magnesium and phosphorus.

The two provide nearly equal amounts of selenium and manganese.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Tarragon

3

Dried thyme

5

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+57.7%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+271%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+55.7%

Contains more CalciumCalcium	+65.9%
Contains more IronIron	+282.7%
Contains more CopperCopper	+27%
Contains more ZincZinc	+58.5%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-11.3%

~equal in Manganese ~7.867mg

~equal in Selenium ~4.6µg

Glycemic Index

Due to the difficulty of consuming large portions of these spices, exact numbers for their glycemic index values have not yet been calculated.

However, tarragon has been studied to lower the glycemic index of the food it's used along with (3). 

Health Impact

References

1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170937/nutrients
2. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170938/nutrients
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897315/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9147557/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8076785/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22783458/
7. Antibacterial Activity of Thyme and Lavender Essential Oils
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6270466/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34680102/