Published on: 2026-09-03
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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At Moscow fairs, city residents can purchase spicy herbs that come in handy for various culinary purposes. For example, rosemary and thyme add aroma to hot dishes, mint brings freshness to summer drinks, snacks, and desserts, and tarragon gives an unusual aniseed accent.
Fresh herbs are supplied to Moscow markets from the Rostov and Tambov regions, Krasnodar Krai, and the Moscow region. Aromatic greens can change the taste of any dish — adding depth, making the aroma more vivid, or, conversely, giving it a delicate nuance. At the same time, herbs require different approaches: some reveal their best qualities only after prolonged heating, others lose their properties at high temperatures, and yet others are good both hot and cold.
Herbs for hot and cold dishes and tea
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, whose Latin name translates as “sea dew.” A fresh sprig of this plant is placed whole in dishes and removed before serving. The aroma of rosemary is best revealed in hot dishes — for example, with roasted meat, potatoes, or grilled fish.
“Rosemary always goes with my potatoes — I put a sprig right on the baking tray, and while the potatoes bake, the whole house fills with the scent of pine. There’s no simpler dish, yet it tastes like a restaurant meal.” — shared Irina Perevoznyuk, a participant in the Moscow fair on Profsoyuznaya Street.
Thyme, also known as savory, is used on a similar principle. The herb withstands prolonged heating well, so it is added to meat, fish, and vegetables. In soups and broths, the spice is added at the very beginning of cooking so that its aroma unfolds gradually. The active components of thyme — thymol and carvacrol — are known for their anti-inflammatory effects, so savory is brewed in boiling water for colds.
Unlike rosemary and thyme, mint does not tolerate prolonged heating, so it is added at the very end of cooking, otherwise its aroma quickly disappears. The herb is used in salads, cold soups such as okroshka, lamb dishes, as well as in desserts with chocolate and homemade lemonades. According to Irina Perevozniuk, mint tea is steeped for only five minutes, resulting in a warm, soothing beverage.
For the famous lemonade and French cuisine
Tarragon, or tarhun, is a spicy plant from the wormwood genus that lacks a characteristic bitterness. In Russia, a green lemonade called “Tarhun” is named after it, and in France, the famous Béarnaise sauce was invented based on this herb. Tarragon loses its aroma quickly when heated, so it is used fresh or added to a dish at the end of cooking. This plant pairs well with poultry, fish, and mushrooms, and its anise note makes pickled cucumbers and tomatoes more aromatic in homemade preserves.
Combinations and storage of aromatic herbs
At Moscow fairs, you can not only buy fresh products but also learn new ways to combine them. For example, mint goes well with lamb, and tarragon pairs nicely with boiled eggs.
It is best to store fresh herbs in the refrigerator. Mint and tarragon have delicate leaves, so they lose moisture quickly; therefore, they can be wrapped in a damp cloth or paper. Thyme and rosemary, on the other hand, have dense leaves and tough stems, which causes them to evaporate less water and store better in a dry environment. Thanks to these properties, these herbs can be kept in a jar or container in the vegetable compartment.
For the winter, aromatic herbs can be dried — in this form, they will retain their scent for several months. Properly dried herbs have stems that break easily rather than bend. At the same time, the leaves separate easily from the stems and do not turn to dust. If moisture is detected during the check, the drying process should continue.
Products for Moscow fairs are brought from more than 40 regions of Russia. Specialists check them before they are sent to the counter state veterinary service of the city of Moscow. The fair pavilions are located in high-traffic areas and are equipped with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and video surveillance systems, as well as commercial and refrigeration equipment, making them comfortable to visit at any time of the year. Spaces are provided free of charge to fair participants. More information about cooperation can be found on the official website of the state budgetary institution “Moscow Fairs”.
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