Sage Blooms: 9 Things You Can Do With Flowers

The intensely aromatic and slightly bitter-tasting leaves make sage a popular aromatic plant in the kitchen.

Since ancient times, sage It has also been used for medicinal purposes. Sage relieves, for example, the symptoms of inflammation of the mouth and throat and various digestive problems.

Salvia blooms from May to July with numerous small flowers in bright blue and purple hues. During this period the plant is very ornamental, but flowers are more than just decorative accessories, they are ideal for refining dishes and for preparing infusions.

How to harvest sage flowers

The following applies not only to the leaves, but also to the flowers of sage, the aroma of which is more intense when harvested correctly. The ideal harvest time is when the sage blooms profusely. Harvest it as follows:

Pick a dry morning to harvest so that the flowers are no longer wet from morning dew or rainPluck the flowers individually or cut entire branches.Use flowering sage either fresh or dried. For the latter, tie several shoots together in small bouquets. Then hang them upside down in a dry place protected from direct light.Don’t harvest all the sage flowers, leave some for insects to use as a food source.

What can you do with sage flowers?

sage flowers they are edible and have a slightly sweeter and milder flavor than the leaves. You can use them various ways in the kitchen:

Refine a homemade herbal quark with sage flowers.Make a homemade (vegan) herbal butter with sage flowers.You can mix the dried flowers with sugar or salt and then use them to refine desserts, porridge, yoghurts or savory dishes. Decorate salads, sandwiches, soups, cakes, and desserts with sage flowers. Use the flowers to flavor vinegar and oils. You can pickle the flowers that are still closed as fake capers.

RECIPES

Pasta with sage flower butter

If you love to eat pasta, then Pasta with Sage Flower Butter is for you. When the sage is in bloom, harvest a handful of sage leaves and flowers for this purpose. Cut the foliage into large pieces, but leave the flowers whole.

Ingredients:

1 handful of fresh sage leaves and flowers 250 g butter or vegan butter 500 g pasta Nutmeg

Elaboration:

Coarsely chop the sage leaves but leave the flowers whole. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, adding just the sage leaves to start. Season with salt and pepper and mix the herb leaves into the hot butter until slightly crisp. Finally, add the flowers and simply toss them lightly into the butter hot. Finally, grate some fresh nutmeg on top and pour it over the freshly cooked and still hot pasta.

Refreshing sage flower syrup

Ingredients (for 3 l of syrup):

1 kg of sugar 2 liters of water Several handfuls of fresh sage flowers 4 organic lemons (juice and zest) 10 to 20 grams of citric acid

Elaboration:

Fill a good third of a large glass jar with the sage flowers. Dissolve the sugar and citric acid in water, mix with the lemon juice and pour over the flowers. You need about twice as much liquid as the flowers. Finely chop the lemon zest and stir. Cover and let sit for 2-3 days and shake or stir several times. Strain and fill sterile bottles.

sage flower syrup it retains its beautiful color if stored in a cool, dark place. It is advisable to transfer the syrup to small bottles, since it can ferment a little after opening it.

sage flower syrup it has a slightly bitter taste and is very refreshing.

It is taken by dissolving a small amount in water. It is very suitable as a substitute for the alcoholic Italian red bitter in summer cocktails.

Advice: Experiment with the amounts until you like the balance of sweetness and tartness.

infusion of sage flowers

Ingredients:

6 sage flowers 2 sage leaves 1 l of water

Elaboration:

Mix the sage flowers and leaves and pour the mixture into a pot with about a liter of boiling water. Let it stand for about 5 minutes with the lid on and then strain it. This sage infusion has an absolutely seductive aroma and an intense color that invites you to enjoy.