Getting to Know Sage from Garden to Table

Sage is a part of the Mint family. It is common for Sage to be ground, whole, or rubbed but is generally in more of a coarse grain. Sage is grown in the United States but is also grown in Albania and Dalmatia.

Sage is a very popular herb in the United States and is used frequently for flavoring such things s sausage, pork, lamb, and other meats, salads, pickles, cheese, and stuffing. The smell of Sage is very aromatic and distinct.

Sage in the Kitchen

Sage loves to hang around in the kitchen with Thyme, Rosemary, and Basil. They work very well together. Sage is normally one of the main herbs in stuffing for poultry but is often added to lamb and pork dishes. Sage is very strong, and a little goes a long way. Like many other herbs, Sage develops its full flavor the longer it cooks and withstands lengthy cooking times, which might be why it is so good when used in the stuffing for the Thanksgiving turkey that cooks for about five hours.

Harvesting Sage

If you grow your own Sage, you will find that all you have to do is snip off the tops of the plant with scissors. Of course, Sag is best when dried, but if you prefer, place the fresh Sage leaves in a baggie in the freezer and pull them out as required.

Sage & Wellness

It is also said that a chewed Sage leaf applied to a sting or an insect bite will reduce the sting and reduce swelling. In addition, Sage tea has been said to soothe a sore throat, help dry up a mother's breast milk, and reduce blood clots.

Further, it has been known to help with itching skin if added to hot bath water. Today, it is mainly the Native Indians who still rely on the herbal powers of Sage.

Sage means salvation from its Latin origin and is associated with longevity, immortality, and mental capacity. Even after being dried out, Sage never loses its fragrance, so it is often added to potpourri, soaps, perfumes, and insect repellent. Its antibacterial properties make it a preservative for many things, such as meats, fish, and condiments.

What Does Sage Smell like?

Sage has a musky, smoky flavor and works very nicely for cutting down some of the richness in many foods. It goes great with almost any vegetable too. Sage is an herb that most people almost always have in their pantry, if they cook at all.