We use the real thing, rather than added flavors or extracts, to make our Carnitas. Before cooking, we season our pork with a blend of thyme, salt, black pepper, ground bay leaf, and cracked juniper berries, patiently waiting for the flavors to permeate the meat - because thyme, after all, is of the essence- chipotle.com. I tried to recreate this recipe to mimic the original!