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Thyme

Thyme suppliers and sourcing guide

Thyme is the dried leaf and flowering top of Thymus vulgaris, a small shrub in the mint family grown in Spain, Morocco, Poland, Turkey, Egypt and elsewhere; Thymus zygis is also traded, mainly for oil. Plants are cut, dried, and the leaves rubbed off and sifted to remove stems. Its aroma comes mainly from thymol and carvacrol. Brands buy rubbed or ground thyme for seasonings, stuffing, sauces and meats, and thyme oil for flavors.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Thymus vulgaris · Garden thyme · Common thyme · Thymus zygis
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of thyme

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Rubbed leaf

    Dried leaf sifted to a standard cut, sold by origin and stem content.

  • Ground thyme

    Powdered leaf for blends.

  • Thyme oil

    Steam-distilled red or white thyme oil standardized for thymol.

  • Steam-treated and organic

    Steam-treated thyme for ready-to-eat use, and certified organic lots.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Volatile oil
Volatile oil by steam distillation; thymol and carvacrol by GC for oils.
Stems and extraneous matter
Percent stems and foreign matter by sorting; leaf herbs are sold on freedom from stems.
Moisture
Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
Total and acid-insoluble ash
Ash by gravimetry; acid-insoluble ash measures sand and soil and is the usual cleanliness check for thyme.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS against the buyer specification.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella; raw spices commonly carry high counts, so state whether the lot was steam-treated or otherwise treated.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store thyme in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Oil content and color vary by origin and harvest, so record origin, volatile oil and stem content for each lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.10 lists thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild or creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists thyme extractives from Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis var. gracilis among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes thyme as the dried leaves and flowering tops of Thymus vulgaris and names thymol and carvacrol as the principal active ingredients of its volatile oil.

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's oral thyme natural health product monograph lists the dried flowering herb top and leaf of Thymus vulgaris as source material.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Thyme suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking thyme suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell thyme? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of thyme can brands buy?

Common forms include rubbed leaf, ground thyme, thyme oil and steam-treated and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for thyme include?

Expect volatile oil, stems and extraneous matter, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, pesticide residues and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should thyme be stored?

Store thyme in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.

What is the regulatory status of thyme?

21 CFR 182.10 lists thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild or creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists thyme extractives from Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis var. gracilis among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes thyme as the dried leaves and flowering tops of Thymus vulgaris and names thymol and carvacrol as the principal active ingredients of its volatile oil. Health Canada's oral thyme natural health product monograph lists the dried flowering herb top and leaf of Thymus vulgaris as source material.

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