Sage Leaves Rubbed
(Salvia officianalis)
Sage is a hardy-leaved perennial, which has a strong, distinct flavor that is reminiscent of Mixed Herbs.
Sage is generally used with rich and fatty foods such as pork and goose, as the savory astringency of sage creates an ideal balance to the rich food.
Use sparingly in casseroles and with other savory herbs in bread stuffing for poultry.
Rubbed sage consists of dried sage leaves that have been rubbed between two hard objects so that the soft outer part of the leaf crumbles away leaving the harder stem to be discarded. Rubbed sage is light and fluffy and looks almost like cotton.
There are many reasons to use rubbed sage instead of ground sage. Rubbed sage, because of the friction, has the oils already disturbed so they will release into your food more quickly.
Rubbed sage also is lighter, and less concentrated, so a teaspoon of rubbed sage will be less intense than a teaspoon of ground sage. Sage can be a very intense and overpowering herb, and using rubbed sage in place of ground sage allows you to keep the sage flavor more subtle.
If you are following a recipe that calls for ground sage, and you want the sage to be a dominant flavor in the dish, you would need to use twice as much rubbed sage to have the same amount of flavor as ground sage.
Other Common Names: Garden Sage, True Sage, Salvia.
Botanical Name: (Salvia officianalis)
HEALTH BENEFITS
Sage leaf is especially good for dysentery, throat and upper respiratory infections, or any infection with excess secretions It is also used externally for infected wounds.
Sage has been used for at least two millennia for persistent bacterial infections within and without the body. Laboratory studies have verified their long-standing antibacterial activity.
Sage leaf's moderate yet consistent antibacterial activity and good taste make them especially useful because of their traditional use in food. Furthermore, their good taste and reliable action make them especially suited for children.
Health Benefits: Sage leaves are often used to treat digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas, bloating, and heartburn. Women may use sage to balance excessive milk flow and painful menstrual cycles. Sage is sometimes applied topically to reduce pain associated with cold sores, and gum disease.
| Botanical Name | (Salvia officianalis) |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Garden Sage, True Sage, Salvia |
| Flavor | Musty, slightly bitter. Sage has a slight peppery flavor. |
| Contains | Leaves of the sage plant Salvia officinalis |
| Application | Beef, fish dishes, stews, stuffings; common sausage flavoring |
