What is Bouquet Garni

Bouquet Garni is a French term which refers to a bundle of aromatic herbs and spices
used to infuse flavor into liquid such as stock, broths, soups and stews. Think of it like
adding a teabag to water. A classic French Bouquet Garni consist of parsley, thyme, bay
leafs and peppercorns. And sometimes it can include the celery leaves. However, any
combination of herbs and spices can be use to make up a Bouquet Garni.

For example, an Asian Bouquet Garni could consist of things like cinnamon stick, star
anise or Kaffir lime leaves. A Mediterranean version could have rosemary, Italian
parsley, fennel seeds or the top of the fresh fennel. The herbs and spice combinations are
endless and much depends on how much of these flavors that you want to highlight. And
be careful of adding of too much of one thing though is that can dominate the end flavor
rather than enhance it.

Traditionally Bouquet Garni was bundle in a blanch leek. It can also be bundle into a
coffee filter, teabag or a piece of cheese cloth for easy removal. However, it’s much more
practical to simply add the Bouquet Garni loosely especially when making things like
stock which will need to be strained in any ways.