Herbs may not exactly seem like an essential ingredient, but a lot of great chefs rely upon these little wonders to provide the perfect finishing touches on their culinary masterpieces. Aside from their unique flavor, they’re also packed with several nutrients that can provide a lot of health benefits.

A trip to the grocery store will reveal a dizzying array of herbs and spices of all shapes and sizes. While they’re all flavorful, we have to admit that not every kitchen needs a whole library of these plants in their pantry. So what herbs can be considered indispensable by every homemaker? Alex Distriza, senior sous chef at The Peninsula Manila, shares with us a few basic ones to try out.

(Photo of Chef Alex by Mike Dee; Photo of herbs by VancityAllie.com via Flickr Creative Commons)