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

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Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on July 25, 2023
Medically reviewed by Victoria Mazmanyan Article author photo Victoria Mazmanyan
Tarragon
vs
Dried thyme

Summary

While thyme is higher in carbohydrates, containing 5 times more dietary fiber, tarragon is 1.6 times higher in net carbs. Thyme is also somewhat higher in calories, while tarragon contains more protein.

Tarragon is a better source of vitamins, providing 4 times more vitamin B6 and 3 times more vitamin B2. That being said, thyme is the winner in the mineral category, being richer in calcium, zinc, and copper.

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
Contains more Protein +149.9%
Contains more Carbs +27.3%
Equal in Fats - 7.43
Equal in Water - 7.79
Equal in Other - 11.73
23% 7% 50% 8% 12%
Protein: 22.77 g
Fats: 7.24 g
Carbs: 50.22 g
Water: 7.74 g
Other: 12.03 g
9% 7% 64% 8% 12%
Protein: 9.11 g
Fats: 7.43 g
Carbs: 63.94 g
Water: 7.79 g
Other: 11.73 g
Contains more Protein +149.9%
Contains more Carbs +27.3%
Equal in Fats - 7.43
Equal in Water - 7.79
Equal in Other - 11.73

Calories

Tarragon is only slightly higher in calories. Overall, these spices add insignificant amounts of calories to the dish.

1g serving of tarragon provides 2.95 calories, and 1g of thyme has 2.76 calories. 

Carbs

Thyme is higher in carbohydrates, containing 0.64g per 1g, while 1g of thyme provides 0.5g. Despite this, tarragon is 1.6 times higher in net carbs, whereas thyme is 5 times richer in dietary fiber.

Proteins

While these spices are not great sources of protein, tarragon is 2.5 times richer in this nutrient. 1g of tarragon and thyme contain 0.23g and 0.09g of protein, respectively.

Fats

Tarragon and thyme contain similarly low amounts of fats - nearly 0.07g per 1g serving.

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.
:
Contains more Vitamin A +10.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +235.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +81.2%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +338.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +104.4%
Equal in Vitamin A - 3800
Equal in Vitamin C - 50
Equal in Folate - 274
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 252% 0% 0% 167% 63% 309% 168% 0% 557% 206% 0% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 228% 150% 0% 167% 129% 93% 93% 0% 127% 206% 0% 4287%
Contains more Vitamin A +10.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +235.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +81.2%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +338.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +104.4%
Equal in Vitamin A - 3800
Equal in Vitamin C - 50
Equal in Folate - 274

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.
Contains more Magnesium +57.7%
Contains more Phosphorus +55.7%
Contains more Potassium +271%
Contains more Calcium +65.9%
Contains more Iron +282.7%
Contains less Sodium -11.3%
Contains more Zinc +58.5%
Contains more Copper +27%
Equal in Manganese - 7.867
Equal in Selenium - 4.6
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 342% 1212% 248% 135% 267% 9% 107% 226% 1040% 24%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 567% 4635% 158% 87% 72% 8% 169% 287% 1027% 26%
Contains more Magnesium +57.7%
Contains more Phosphorus +55.7%
Contains more Potassium +271%
Contains more Calcium +65.9%
Contains more Iron +282.7%
Contains less Sodium -11.3%
Contains more Zinc +58.5%
Contains more Copper +27%
Equal in Manganese - 7.867
Equal in Selenium - 4.6

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

Antioxidant Effects

Thyme and tarragon are known for their strong antioxidant qualities. By helping neutralize harmful free radicals, antioxidants help prevent various cardiovascular diseases.

The antioxidant effects of these spices are mainly attributable to their abundance of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. They are connected to their capacity to function as free radical scavengers and oxidative enzyme inhibitors (4, 5).

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Thyme and its extracts have traditionally been used to treat inflammatory disorders all over the world, and numerous studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory qualities through various mechanisms (4). 

Similarly, tarragon has been researched not only for its anti-inflammatory qualities but also for pain-killing, immunomodulatory and antidepressant effects (6).

Antibacterial Effects

Tarragon and thyme oils have antibacterial effects against resistant strains of some bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Research shows that tarragon oil is effective against Staphylococcus aureus and E.Coli (6). Thyme oil also has protective qualities against Enterococcus and Pseudomonas bacteria (7).

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: July 25, 2023
Medically reviewed by Victoria Mazmanyan

Infographic

Tarragon vs Dried thyme infographic
Infographic link

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -31.1%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +210.8%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 0.47
31% 8% 61%
Saturated Fat: 1.881 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.474 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 3.698 g
62% 11% 27%
Saturated Fat: 2.73 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.47 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1.19 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -31.1%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +210.8%
Equal in Monounsaturated Fat - 0.47

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Tarragon Dried thyme
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Tarragon Dried thyme Opinion
Net carbs 42.82g 26.94g Tarragon
Protein 22.77g 9.11g Tarragon
Fats 7.24g 7.43g Dried thyme
Carbs 50.22g 63.94g Dried thyme
Calories 295kcal 276kcal Tarragon
Sugar 1.71g Tarragon
Fiber 7.4g 37g Dried thyme
Calcium 1139mg 1890mg Dried thyme
Iron 32.3mg 123.6mg Dried thyme
Magnesium 347mg 220mg Tarragon
Phosphorus 313mg 201mg Tarragon
Potassium 3020mg 814mg Tarragon
Sodium 62mg 55mg Dried thyme
Zinc 3.9mg 6.18mg Dried thyme
Copper 0.677mg 0.86mg Dried thyme
Manganese 7.967mg 7.867mg Tarragon
Selenium 4.4µg 4.6µg Dried thyme
Vitamin A 4200IU 3800IU Tarragon
Vitamin A RAE 210µg 190µg Tarragon
Vitamin E 7.48mg Dried thyme
Vitamin C 50mg 50mg
Vitamin B1 0.251mg 0.513mg Dried thyme
Vitamin B2 1.339mg 0.399mg Tarragon
Vitamin B3 8.95mg 4.94mg Tarragon
Vitamin B6 2.41mg 0.55mg Tarragon
Folate 274µg 274µg
Vitamin K 1714.5µg Dried thyme
Tryptophan 0.186mg Dried thyme
Threonine 0.252mg Dried thyme
Isoleucine 0.468mg Dried thyme
Leucine 0.43mg Dried thyme
Lysine 0.207mg Dried thyme
Valine 0.502mg Dried thyme
Saturated Fat 1.881g 2.73g Tarragon
Monounsaturated Fat 0.474g 0.47g Tarragon
Polyunsaturated fat 3.698g 1.19g Tarragon

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Tarragon Dried thyme
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
143%
Tarragon
456%
Dried thyme
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
360%
Tarragon
703%
Dried thyme

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
Tarragon
Tarragon is lower in Sugar (difference - 1.71g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Tarragon
Tarragon is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.849g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Dried thyme
Dried thyme contains less Sodium (difference - 7mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Dried thyme
Dried thyme is lower in glycemic index (difference - 0)
Which food is cheaper?
Dried thyme
Dried thyme is cheaper (difference - $6)
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Tarragon - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170937/nutrients
  2. Dried thyme - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170938/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.