The Sage Herb Goes Well With Fat-Rich
Dishes
Sage Herb
Historically speaking, among herbs sage
has the distinction that its culinary uses came to be
realized only long after it had become renowned as a
medicinal herb. There are several varieties of sage,
some of which are more sought after for ornamental
value; the "common" or "garden" sage as it is called,
with its blue flowers and grey-green leaves and
pleasantly bitter flavor reminiscent of rosemary and
pine with an undertone of citrus, is the most important
variety in terms of its use in the kitchen. Like many
other herbs of the mint family, sage is indigenous to
the Mediterranean region.
History of Sage
Since early history, sage has been
renowned for its healing abilities. The ancient Greek
and Roman healers recommended sage for a variety of
ailments ranging from epilepsy to snakebite to irregular
periods in women. They also used sage as a preservative
for meat. The Romans had even contrived a special
ceremony just for gathering sage. The Arabs' faith in
sage's life-extending qualities is summed up in their
proverb "Why should a man die whilst sage grows in his
garden?" In 18th century China, sage had become so
highly valued that the Chinese would obtain it from the
Dutch by exchanging three bags of tea leaf for every bag
of sage.
Sage in Cooking
Sage also has its share of culinary
virtues. Sage goes well with fat-rich dishes such as
pork, French pâtés (meat-filled pastries) and sausages
and is believed to aid in their digestion. The French
use sage to stuff chicken and small game birds, and is
used similarly in the American classic Thanksgiving
dish, stuffed turkey. Sage also pairs well with cheese.
Freshly chopped sage complements potato dishes as well
as split-pea and bean soups, and should be added near
the end of cooking so as not to give too strong a taste.
Health Benefits of Sage
From among the myriad health benefits of
sage from history and folklore, many have stood the test
of time and scientific research. Sage contains numerous
substances known scientifically as antioxidants, which
gives its preservative properties. A major research
study carried out recently also established the potency
of sage as an outstanding memory enhancer. There is also
evidence that sage can help fight the degenerative
effects of Alzheimer's disease. Sage also contains
estrogenic substances that compensate for hormone
deficiency during the difficult stage of menopause in
women. Considering everything, it would not be wrong to
say that including sage in your dishes could be one of
the most sag(e)acious decisions you ever make!
References:
http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/adams/2001/sage.htm
http://www.sallys-place.com/food/columns/gilbert/sage.htm
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=76
The Herb Garden Cookbook: The Complete Gardening and
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