I'm surprised they mention erbs at all. Cooking in the USA seems to be of the "everything out of a packet variety." None of our relatives cook meals from scratch and even my Canadian lot use "erbs.!"
On a practical note - Tesco ( I know I'm always on about them) sell 'erbs in pots. When we were staying in eldest son's flat, April to June, I bought basil and rosemary plants in pots from them and replanted them in his little balcony garden. They did very well.
I remember reading so many references to cilantro and its “soapy” taste, nasty smell, and general unpopularity in American food writings for years and years. I kept thinking, I’ve never had this cilantro but it sounds rank.
I was outright astounded to discover around a decade ago that this horrible cilantro was in fact my adored fresh coriander which I could eat by the bush and smells so glorious.
Ever since I have approached certain food writers with great suspicion...
As far as I know 'herb' is not a French word - so it's Herb. If you say 'erb', then you should also be saying 'erbaceous' and 'erbage', and 'erbal' and 'erbalist'. (If you're a cockney, by all means carry on!)
In France the word is 'herbe', pronounced without the 'h'. In Britain the word is 'herb' pronounced as standard English with the 'h' pronounced.
I have never heard pronounced without the 'h' in Britain. Where have other people heard it pronounced without the 'h'? Except, of course, among those for whom in 'ertford, 'ereford and 'ampshire, 'urricanes 'ardly 'appen
I will continue to pronounce it with an H, although I do sometimes pronounce Quinoa, as quin-oh-ah just to be wicked and so that well meaning 'Waitrose types' will correct me!
It's herbs for me. Erbs is how Americans say it, as mentioned above. Just one more Americanism creeping into our language. Like 'sucks' for something that people don't like, and 'butt' instead of bottom. It drive me mad.
I live in 'Ull were it is it almost compulsary to drop your aitches. I don't think anyone ever calls me Helen. I am always Ellen. So the erb/herb debate is probably a non starter here!