Amore Amaro

Salvia officinalis

common sage

An image of common sage.

Original photo by: Elena Peabody.

Sage is a savory and aromatic herb, commonly used in modern amaro recipes.

Uses

Sage is used in cooking, and is one of the most common herbs in the modern kitchen. It is a known ingredient in several modern amari, including Contratto bitter, Foro Amaro Speciale, Amaro Lucano, and the American Breckenridge Bitter.1

The flavor profile of sage is savory, aromatic, and slightly bitter. Purple and yellow varieties are not as flavorful as the more common light green variety. The leaves and other aerial parts of the plant are used.

Taken as an infusion or tea, fresh leaves are known to make a bitter digestive stimulant.2

Historical context

The Latin name Salvia comes from the word salveo, which means ‘I am well,’ demonstrating its long history as a medicinal herb. It’s cultivation is written about by Wahlafrid Strabo, Albertus Magnus, Rufinus, John of Garland and Peiro de’ Crescenzi. It features in the Capitulare de villis (originally attributed to Charlemagne) and the Lexicon Plantarum, among other ancient texts.3 It was included in the medical herb garden for the plan of St. Gall.4 Hildegard notes it for several uses, including general deliciousness:

Let whoever disdains eating take sage, a little less chervil, a bit of garlic, pound these together in vinegar, and thus make a condiment. Let the person dip the food they wish to eat in this, and they will have an appetite for eating.5

There is record of it being a garden plant in England by as early as 1213, and at one point an ale made of the herb was a popular health drink with slightly sedative properties.6

Cultivation

Sage is native to the Mediterreanan, and prefers full sun. It likes its soil dry to medium water, with good drainage. It may need staking, as the plants tend to sprawl.7

Pests

Sage is susceptible to root rot.8

References

  1. Parsons, Brad Thomas. Amaro: The Spirited World of Bittersweet, Herbal Liqueurs, with Cocktails, Recipes, and Formulas (Kindle edition). New York: Ten Speed Press, 2016 (loc. 543, 721, 741, 1484).
  2. A-Z of Medicinal Herbs, p. 95. CITATION NEEDED.
  3. Opsomer-Halleux, Carméla. “The Medieval Garden and Its Role in Medicine,” in Medieval Gardens (Dumbarton Oaks Colloquia on the History of Landscape Architecture, v9). Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 1986 (p. 111, 113)
  4. Wyrtig, “The plants and trees found in the Plan of St. Gall.”. Accessed August 7, 2019.
  5. von Bingen, Hildegard. Hildegard’s Healing Plants, from Her Medieval Classic Physica. Bruce W. Hozeski, trans. Boston: Beacon Press, 2001 (p. 58).
  6. McLean, Teresa. Medieval English Gardens. New York: Viking Press, 1980 (p. 177).
  7. Missouri Botanical Garden, “Salvia officinalis.” Accessed August 14, 2019.
  8. Ibid.

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