Culinary herbs are the cross-section of sun, rain, wind, a plant’s essence, and bring elevated fragrance and verdant flavor to a dish. Whether they’re bright and peppery or softly floral, herbs produce ethereal flavors, the kind you smell as much as you taste. Herbs brighten up everything from pasta to pungent cheese…as long as you put the right ones together. They are the leaves and stems of a plant; when an herb dries, the essential oils present in the plant concentrate. This makes them become more pungent as they dry, but they are not created equal. Find out how to manage measurements of dry herbs and when to add them to cooking in our guide to Getting the Most out of Your Dried Herbs.