The Different Types Of Seasoning Herb Parsley

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:59 pm

Most consumers know parsley as leaf parsley with either smooth or curly leaves. The root parsley is used much less frequently for seasoning. Still relatively unknown is Japanese parsley, whose flavor is similar to that of celery.

Petersilie Sorten

The four types of parsley

  • Leaf parsley
  • Curly or mossy parsley
  • Root parsley
  • Japanese parsley


Leaf parsley with smooth leaves


It is the precursor of the parsley found in Europe. Its flavor is much more intense than that of mossy varieties.

The Different Types Of Seasoning Herb Parsley

Top chefs prefer smooth parsley, because it not only tastes more aromatic, but because it is much easier to clean.

If you want to grow parsley in the garden as a seasoning herb, you should plant smooth parsley varieties.

Curly or mossy parsley.


Monks once cultivated this variety of parsley. Its curly leaves make it easier to distinguish from the poisonous dog parsley.

Curly parsley is mainly used to decorate dishes, because the leaves, reminiscent of moss, look much more decorative on food. Their taste is nowhere near as spicy as that of the smooth parsley.

Curly parsley is more difficult to clean, because in the folds of the leaves can easily hide soil and insects. Therefore, it must be washed longer and dried well afterwards, so that it does not water down the food.

Root parsley
Parsley roots are grown for their strong roots. The leaves are also edible.

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Parsley roots are mainly used as a seasoning for hearty stews and vegetable dishes. For this purpose, the roots are peeled and cooked along.

Japanese parsley or mitsuba
Japanese parsley can be grown in the garden or on the balcony just like leaf parsley. However, it is only winter-hardy to a limited extent and must either be overwintered indoors or reseeded every year.

Its taste is more reminiscent of celery than parsley.

Unlike European leaf parsley, Japanese parsley is usually added to the dish at the end of cooking. However, it can also be used raw as a seasoning or decoration.

Tips & Tricks
Smooth-leaf parsley looks confusingly similar to dog parsley, which grows wild along field margins. Dog parsley is highly toxic and can even cause respiratory paralysis if eaten in large quantities. It can be distinguished from the non-toxic species mainly by its unpleasant odor.

Author

  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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