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The savory, Satureja or Pepper Herb is an aromatic herb and medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean, widely used in Italy as an ingredient in cooking and for preparing herbal teas, as well as a natural remedy for various issues. There are different types of savory, including mountain savory, a perennial plant resistant to cold climates, and domestic savory. Savory is often known not only as Pepper Herb but also as bean herb, winter savory, or Satyr's herb due to its aphrodisiac properties.
The aromatic plant savory, Satureja L. is native to Mediterranean regions, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, the same as thyme and marjoram, a genus of dicotyledonous spermatophyte plants, and can be found both wild and cultivated. We have various species of the same plant (Satureja montana, hortensis, etc.) but the differences are minimal both for culinary and medicinal use. Being a Mediterranean species, we know that savory grows in dry and rocky soils.
The name would derive from the Latin "satura," meaning satiated, probably attributed to the plant for its digestive properties, or from the term "salsa," precisely because savory was used to flavor dishes in the kitchen. Some, instead, would derive it from the Greek "satyron," for the use that satyrs, in mythology, made of this exceptional spice, now finally available for online purchase. The savory plant generally has a height of 40-50 cm, has a woody base stem and winter buds that dry out every year. The leaves are arranged in pairs opposite each other, with each pair perpendicular to the one above: they have a lanceolate shape, with entire margins. The savory flowers have a labiate shape, are white or light pink, and very fragrant. Savory is often associated with thyme, tarragon, and sage, having similar aromatic characteristics. Savory is a Provencal herb with a high aromatic power and is considered an aphrodisiac: it is often cultivated in gardens along with rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, and oregano. The two main common varieties of savory are:
The leaves of savory are green and linear-lanceolate in shape, arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They are one of the most used parts of the satureja plant along with the flowering tops. They are harvested shortly before flowering and dried in dry, well-ventilated, and dark places. The power derived from the leaves of this therapeutic herb increases if stored in bunches that will then be chopped onto dishes. They are also used to relieve pain from insect bites.
To understand how to cultivate the savory plant, it should be noted that it is an aromatic plant, and therefore is often grown in gardens and home gardens. Its shape resembles a dense bush, therefore easy to clean from weeds. It does not require much water, except in particularly dry summers where it is still recommended to water it often but with little water. The variety of wild savory, or mountain savory, is even more resistant to drought. To promote correct vegetation, it is advisable to prune the plant at the end of winter and remove dry branches throughout the year.
The savory herb has properties and benefits that make it a medicinal herb. By consuming dried savory, even in spice form, we can enjoy various benefits such as:
If used in dried savory format for cooking legumes, it facilitates digestion and cancels out the undesirable effect related to flatulence. It combines very well with many dishes, both vegetable and legume-based, as well as meat dishes, maintaining the quality of enhancing flavors and facilitating digestion, just like other herbs that you can find among the spices online at Terza Luna tea shop, such as green anise or laurel.
Furthermore, we cannot overlook the aphrodisiac properties of the savory plant. Since ancient times, the plant was known as the "herb of the satyr," a mythological figure with a strong sexual appetite, and was used because it is believed to dissolve inhibitory restraints in men and women.
Thanks to its aromatic power, savory keeps insects away, as its aroma is annoying to these small animals, therefore it can be used to repel mosquitoes by keeping a plant on balconies or window sills. It can also be used to relieve the pain of mosquito bites by rubbing it on the affected area, as well as to create invigorating foot baths.
Dried savory, or satureja, is a well-known aromatic herb for its culinary uses. It is among the Provencal herbs, and can be used both dried and fresh. The Herbes de Provence, a mixture of dried aromatic herbs, includes:
The uses of savory are not limited to the kitchen, but it is also used for medicinal purposes thanks to the numerous beneficial properties of its essential oil.
From savory, or pepper herb, it is possible to extract an essential oil with numerous therapeutic properties and more. It is used in cases of influenza and colds thanks to the powers of the medicinal herb due to the presence of eugenol, carvacrol, and thymol, which give it antiviral and antibacterial properties. In cosmetics, the essential oil of savory is used to produce perfumes and creams. In the culinary field, it is used in alcoholic beverages to flavor liqueurs, especially vermouth.
Attention, savory essential oil is very strong and therefore should be used with great care and preferably after consulting your trusted doctor.
The savory spice can be used to enrich hot legume soups like chickpeas and beans, or cereal soups, as its carminative properties facilitate assimilation.
Savory is generally paired with meats, as its antibiotic properties make them more tolerable for the intestines. Excellent pairing with fatty meats such as lake fish, sausage, but also eggs.
It can be used like thyme to enhance sauces and dressings, sautéed vegetables, vegetable soups, and savory pies. In Canada, it is the herb that flavors stuffed turkey, while in Provence, it is part of the typical mix of dried French herbs used in classic stews and to flavor meat and fish grills.
To use savory in the kitchen, especially if dried, remember to add it during cooking, not at the end. You can also create a flavored oil by infusing it with other herbs like rosemary and thyme.
One of the reasons why the aromatic plant is harvested before flowering is due to the more intense flavor it possesses. Once the savory plant blooms, it loses that characteristic flavor.
The essential oils within it, in addition to allowing us to enjoy the beneficial effects of the therapeutic herb, give the herb a more pronounced, slightly peppery taste with a smoky aftertaste. It is therefore suitable for a wide range of uses in the kitchen.
The leaves of the savory plant are characterized by a particular scent very similar to a cross between lemon and thyme. Its pleasant aroma allows the leaves to be used for preparing excellent herbal teas and infusions, as well as in the kitchen to flavor fish, meat, and vegetables.
Savory spice has various uses in the kitchen. It can be used to flavor a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
From mountain savory, or wild savory, savory honey is obtained, also known as thyme honey in the Abruzzo region. Savory honey is characterized by a light amber color with green reflections and a strong smell and taste that lead to an unmistakable pollen aroma. The texture is soft, and once crystallized, it acquires a full flavor, with a slightly bitter finish and subtle coffee notes.
The herbal tea or decoction of dried savory is very easy to prepare and allows you to enjoy all the benefits of this extraordinary medicinal plant. Drinking it before meals can help promote digestion. Boil 20 grams of dried savory in 300 ml of water, strain, and serve hot.
There are no particular contraindications for savory, unless there are specific allergies or intolerances. We recommend consulting a doctor in case of particular pathologies. Be careful how you use savory essential oil. It is absolutely not recommended to use it pure on mucous membranes as it could cause strong irritations.
The savory herb is often confused with thyme, however, there are differences that allow the two plants to be distinguished. Firstly, the more intense flavor of savory, with bitter and spicy notes, makes it ideal for heavier dishes and is often accompanied by basil. On the other hand, thyme has a more delicate flavor, although still with a slight hint of bitterness and spiciness, and is often accompanied by mint. Both are Provencal herbs, a combination of aromatic plants that also includes rosemary and oregano. They are used in cooking thanks to the combination of flavors and nutritional properties that enrich the dish and facilitate digestion due to the powers of medicinal herbs.
If you are wondering where to buy savory for herbal teas and other preparations, Terza Luna is the answer for you! You can find savory for sale online in the form of dried herbs, ready to enrich your best recipes with a particular and intense aroma. For years, we have selected the best products among spices and aromatic herbs for the pantries of our customers passionate about taste and quality.
Terza Luna offers various formats of dried savory spice for sale online to meet every request. You can purchase:
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