A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 What does Woody mean?

I've read in a few Garden books that if you do some things (over water Rosemary for instance) it can make the Herb taste "Woody". I hate to seem like a dip. But what exactly does this mean? Does it make the Herb taste like wood or what. I'm just curious.

Heehee. You said woody.

Okay you guys..
He's talkin' herbs here... :rolleyes:

As the herbs grow, the newer stems/stalks are tender, younger, thinner, growths..
As the plant ages, and grows, and doesn't really
put on new growth.... the plant developes harder, older, tougher growth, similar to bark on a tree.

So, the flavor and textures change the older the plant grows...

Does that help a wee~bit!?!?!?!?!

My basil has the bark type trunk and I haven't noticed a change in flavor. Could be I'm only and my sense of taste isn't as sharp as it could be.

A woody ornamental is something that does not die to the ground in the winter. Things like trees and shrubs. Rosemary is a shrub.

Thanks for all the info you guys. I haven't as of yet noticed a change in taste of any of my herbs.

Next on my "to Grow" list is Greek Oregano. I'll just have to be careful and not bend over around it. lol

Doh!!!! {Homer Simpson voice}

Did a double take, I did... My rosemary gets leggy,woody stems if I keep it outside where it gets a lil neglected, but it gets very tall and the stems are good on the grill(soak em first).Especially good when you grill a chicken or tenderloin.....mmmm mm

gardenjunky...you ever try rosemary with pork? MMMMMMMM! I want to try it with lamb, never tried that or beef...Mine flowered for 2 months this spring, but the taste was always fine.

Can you burn the rosemary woody stems in the fire to add flavor to the grilled meat of choice?

Now that's an idea! Wonder how that would turn out?