Summer savory | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Satureja |
Species: | S. hortensis |
Binomial name | |
Satureja hortensis | |
Synonyms | |
Ground Savory |
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis) is among the best known of the savory genus. It is an annual, but otherwise is similar in use and flavor to the perennial winter savory. It is used more often than winter savory, which has a slightly more bitter flavor.
This herb has lilac tubular flowers which bloom in the northern hemisphere from July to September. It grows to around 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) in height and has very slender, bronze-green leaves.
The plant is called مرزه (marzeh) in Persian, Bohnenkraut in German, bonenkruid in Dutch, sarriette in French, santoreggia or paverella in Italian, segurelha in Portuguese, ajedrea in Spanish, θρούμπι (throúbi) in Greek, cząber in Polish, чубрица (chubritsa) in Bulgarian, cimbru in Romanian, borsikafű in Hungarian, чубар (čubar) in Serbian, чабер (chaber) in Ukrainian, жамбил (jambil) in Uzbek, and mercimek otu in Turkish.
The species name Satureja hortensis was first published in 1753 by Carl von Linné in Species Plantarum , Volume II (page 568). [1] [2] Homotypic synonyms are Clinopodium hortense (L.) (Kuntze, 1891) and Thymus cunila (E.H.L.Krause, 1903). Heterotypic synonyms are Clinopodium pachyphyllum (K.Koch, Kuntze, 1891), Satureja altaica (Boriss., 1953), Satureja brachiata (Stokes, 1812), Satureja filicaulis (Schott ex Boiss., 1879), Satureja hortensis var. distans (K.Koch, 1849), Satureja laxiflora subsp. zuvandica (D.A.Kapan., 1987), Satureja litwinowii (Schmalh. ex Lipsky, 1899), Satureja officinarum (Crantz, 1766), Satureja pachyphylla (K.Koch, 1844), Satureja viminea (Burm.f., 1768) and Satureja zuvandica (D.A.Kapan., 1985). [3]
Summer savory is native in Southeastern Europe and Asia. In Europe, the herb is native in Italy, the former Yugoslav territories and Albania and the Crimea. In Asia, summer savory is native in Kazakhstan, the western Himalayas and Xinjiang. The herb has been introduced to North America (Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Illinois, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin) and to more regions across Europe (Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czech Republic, Denmark, east and south European Russia, France, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine) and Asia (Bahrain, India, Mongolia, Primorye, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan). [3] [4] [5] In addition, the herb is doubtfully present in the region of South Caucasus and Turkey. [3]
The Latin name Saureja hortensis comes from Roman writer Pliny the Elder, and it is said to be a derivative of the word satyr. Legends state that the herb belonged to this ancient creature, which led to the name saureja. [6] Their primary use was in cooking during the Roman times. It was used to flavour foods until black pepper made its way to Europe, which replaced most of summer savory's uses. [6] [7] During the reign of Julius Caesar the Romans introduced the herb to England, where it also became a popular herb for cooking and was used in medicine. The English name comes from the Saxons who were calling it savory for its pungent taste. [6] [8] In the 17th century the English botanist Nicolas Culpeper wrote that the herb had wind expelling properties. Making summer savory more used in medical purposes. The herb was only cultivated in the 19th century. Before it was found as a wild growing shrub. [6] [9]
In the 21st century summer savory is cultivated in France, Spain, Germany, England and other parts of Europe, Canada and the United States of America. When bought for culinary use the herb contains the dried leaves and flowers. [10]
Summer savory can grow from propagated seeds in a moderately fertile environment, usually in a rich, light soil, as they usually take longer to germinate. [7] [11] Usually, this species prefers dry gravel and stone slopes of up to 1500 meters as their habitat. [12] This herb can be grown in pots, ornamental borders and herb gardens and is an excellent companion plant that can deter aphids when grown next to broad beans. [13]
The leaves of summer savory are abundant in total phenolic compounds (rosmarinic acid and flavonoids) that have a powerful antioxidant impact. Tannins, volatile oils, sterols, acids, gums, pyrocatechol, phenolic compounds, and mucilage are primary components of the Satureja species. [7] Terpenes are also another component provided by summer savory that allow its unique taste, smell and health benefits. [14] Additionally, it also possesses Fe (III) reductive and free radical scavenging properties and contains minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and sodium, as well as vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin A and vitamin C. Its seeds contain chemicals such as carvacrol, estragole (methyl chavicol), caryophyllene, and E-caryophyllene, which are composed of 45% dry basis of fixed oil and 24% protein. [7] [15] The leaves are a good source of carvacrol, γ-terpinene and ρ-Cymene. [7]
Other than the culinary use as a herb, it can also be extracted for its essential oil. Leaves yield approximately 0.5-1% essential oil that is light yellow or brown with slightly sharp phenolic notes similar to oregano and thyme. [15] Major components of essential oils extracted from summer savory are carvacrol, thymol, γ-terpinene, and ρ-cymene, while α-terpinene, β-caryophyllene and β-bisabolene are found in smaller quantities. [16] Phenolic content within the essential oil, especially that of carvacrol, varies from 23.8-55%. [15]
Water | 9 g |
Energy | 272 kcal or 1140 kJ |
Protein | 6.73 g |
Total Lipid (fat) | 5.91 g |
Carbohydrate, by difference | 68.7 g |
Fiber, total dietary | 45.7 g |
Calcium (Ca) | 2130 mg |
Iron (Fe) | 37.9 mg |
Magnesium (Mg) | 377 mg |
Phosphorus (P) | 140 mg |
Potassium (K) | 1050 mg |
Sodium (Na) | 24 mg |
Zinc (Zn) | 4–3 mg |
Copper (Cu) | 0.847 |
Manganese (Mn) | 6.1 mg |
Vitamin C (total ascorbic acid) | 50 mg |
Thiamin | 0.336 mg |
Niacin | 4.08 mg |
Vitamin B-6 | 1.81 mg |
Vitamin B-12 | 0 |
Vitamin A (RAE) | 257 μg |
Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0 μg |
Fatty acids ( total saturated) | 3.26 g |
Fatty acids (total trans) | 0 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Nutritional content per 100 grams of summer savory. [17]
Summer savory grows wild but it is also beneficial for the garden ecosystem since it attracts various pollinators. [18] [19] Because of its tubular flower shape, the nectar is encapsulated in the flower which makes it hard to reach for pollinators. The main pollinators of summer savory are bees, bumblebees, wasps, Bombyliidae and hoverflies, which support plant reproduction and seed production. Diaspores are the seeds which are dispersed by ants through a process known as myrmecochory. [20] [21]
The flowers of summer savory are more modest in appearance and, just as with chamomile and thyme, tend to attract a greater number of beneficial insects compared to for example roses and chrysanthemums that are often favored for their beauty. [22] This makes it an option for gardeners looking to encourage biodiversity and provide food for these crucial pollinators while also being easily cultivated from seed or cutting. [18] [22]
The early spring seedlings are often topped for fresh use in June. When the plants are in flower, they may be pulled up and dried for winter use. [18] [23] Summer savory can be collected when the plant reaches around 15 centimetres in height and when it is in full flowering stage. It reaches that point after approximately 75–120 days. [19] To promote further growth the tops should be regularly trimmed. [18] For storage, the plant needs to be dried by hanging it up in little bundles. [23] Once dry, the leaves need to be removed in order to store them in sealed jars and once the seeds brown, they can be preserved with a desiccant in a similar airtight manner. [18]
The plant only lives for a single summer which makes it an annual plant. [18] [24]
Summer savory is a traditional popular herb in Atlantic Canada, where it is used in the same way sage is elsewhere. [25] It is the main flavoring in dressing for many fowl, mixed with ground pork and other basic ingredients to create a thick meat dressing known as cretonnade (cretonade) which may be eaten with turkey, goose and duck. [26] It also is used to make stews such as fricot, and in meat pies. [25] It is usually available year-round in local grocery stores in dried form and is used in varying proportions, sometimes added to recipes in large generous heaping spoonfuls (such as in cretonnade), and sometimes more subtly (as in beans, for which savory has a natural affinity). [25]
Summer savory is a characteristic ingredient of herbes de Provence. [27] It is also widely used as a seasoning for grilled meats and barbecues, as well as in stews and sauces. [25]
Summer savory is preferred over winter savory for use in sausages because of its sweeter, more delicate aroma. It plays an important role in Bulgarian cuisine, providing a strong flavor to a variety of dishes. [25] Instead of salt and pepper, a Bulgarian table will have three condiments: salt, red sweet pepper, and summer savory. When these are mixed it is called sharena sol (шарена сол 'speckled salt').
Summer savory, known as cimbru, is used in Romanian cuisine, especially in sarmale (stuffed cabbage or grape leaf rolls) and in mititei (grilled ground meat rolls). [28]
Regarding its use in alcohol, summer savory is not often used as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages. But with its flavour profile, it is an addition to some artisanal or craft spirits and liqueurs. The herb, known for its pungent piney flavor with peppery hints, could impart a spicy, peppery note to such beverages, potentially complementing other botanicals since it is often compared to a cross between mint and thyme. [29] [14]
Given summer savorys traditional use in vinegar preservation by the ancient Romans, it can be infused in vinegar-based cocktails or used as a garnish to add a subtle, herby touch to certain drinks. [18] In culinary applications, it is also used because of its ability to add a salty and peppery flavor without increasing sodium intake. [29]
The use of summer savory dates back to being used by the Romans for traditional medicinal remedies and it has since been used by many other cultures to treat symptoms such as cramps, stomach pains, nausea, indigestion, and more. [27] [30] [31]
Studies such as “In Vitro Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil and Methanol Extracts of Herbal Parts and Callus Cultures of Satureja Hortensis L.” and “Antispasmodic and Anti-Diarrhoeal Effect of Satureja Hortensis L. Essential Oil.”, along with others, have proved that there is a relationship between the plant and its curing properties. [32] [33]
These properties are due to the chemical composition and the presence of steroids, essential oils, flavonoids, and other components, which have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. [31]
Lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the mints family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World, primarily found across the drier, warmer regions of mainland Eurasia, with an affinity for maritime breezes.
Oregano is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae. It was native to the Mediterranean region, but widely naturalised elsewhere in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Peppermint is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. It is occasionally found in the wild with its parent species.
Satureja is a genus of aromatic plants of the family Lamiaceae, related to rosemary and thyme. It is native to North Africa, southern and southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. A few New World species were formerly included in Satureja, but they have all been moved to other genera. Several species are cultivated as culinary herbs called savory, and they have become established in the wild in a few places.
Thyme is a culinary herb consisting of the dried aerial parts of some members of the genus Thymus of flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are native to Eurasia and north Africa. Thymes have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The species most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes is Thymus vulgaris, native to Southeast Europe.
Savory or Savoury may refer to:
Ajwain or ajowan —also known as ajowan caraway, వాము ,omam , thymol seeds, bishop's weed, or carom—is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Both the leaves and the seed‑like fruit of the plant are consumed by humans. The name "bishop's weed" also is a common name for other plants. The "seed" is often confused with lovage seed.
Coleus amboinicus, synonym Plectranthus amboinicus, is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. Coleus amboinicus is considered to be native to parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, although it is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics where it is used as a spice and ornamental plant. Common names in English include Indian borage, country borage, French thyme, Indian mint, Mexican mint, Cuban oregano, broad leaf thyme, soup mint, Spanish thyme. The species epithet, amboinicus refers to Ambon Island, in Indonesia, where it was apparently encountered and described by João de Loureiro (1717–1791).
Thymol, C10H14O, is a natural monoterpenoid phenol derivative of p-Cymene, isomeric with carvacrol, found in oil of thyme, and extracted from Thymus vulgaris, ajwain, and various other plants as a white crystalline substance of a pleasant aromatic odor and strong antiseptic properties. Thymol also provides the distinctive, strong flavor of the culinary herb thyme, also produced from T. vulgaris. Thymol is only slightly soluble in water at neutral pH, but it is extremely soluble in alcohols and other organic solvents. It is also soluble in strongly alkaline aqueous solutions due to deprotonation of the phenol. Its dissociation constant (pKa) is 10.59±0.10. Thymol absorbs maximum UV radiation at 274 nm.
Thymus serpyllum, known by the common names of Breckland thyme, Breckland wild thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to most of Europe and North Africa. It is a low, usually prostrate subshrub growing to 2 cm (1 in) tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The oval evergreen leaves are 3–8 mm long. The strongly scented flowers are either lilac, pink-purple, magenta, or a rare white, all 4–6 mm long and produced in clusters. The hardy plant tolerates some pedestrian traffic and produces odors ranging from heavily herbal to lightly lemon, depending on the variety.
Za'atar is a Levantine culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, and other spices. As a family of related Levantine herbs, it contains plants from the genera Origanum (oregano), Calamintha, Thymus, and Satureja (savory) plants. The name za'atar alone most properly applies to Origanum syriacum, considered in biblical scholarship to be the ezov of the Hebrew Bible, often translated as hyssop but distinct from modern Hyssopus officinalis.
Satureja montana, is a perennial, semi-evergreen herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to warm temperate regions of southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. It has dark green leaves and summer flowers ranging from pale lavender, or pink to white. The closely related summer savory is an annual plant.
Carvacrol, or cymophenol, C6H3(CH3)(OH)C3H7, is a monoterpenoid phenol. It has a characteristic pungent, warm odor of oregano.
Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae, widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornamental. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it.
Thymus pannonicus, known by its common name Hungarian thyme or Eurasian thyme, is a perennial herbaceous plant, distributed in central and eastern Europe and Russia. It grows over open dry meadows, grasslands, and rocks.
Aframomum corrorima is a species of flowering plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is an herbaceous perennial that produces leafy stems 1–2 meters tall from rhizomatous roots. The alternately-arranged leaves are dark green, 10–30 cm long and 2.5–6 cm across, elliptical to oblong in shape. Pink flowers are borne near the ground and give way to red, fleshy fruits containing shiny brown seeds, which are typically 3–5 mm in diameter.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to herbs and spices:
Satureja thymbra, commonly known as savory of Crete, whorled savory, pink savory, and Roman hyssop, is a perennial-green dwarf shrub of the family Lamiaceae, having strongly scented leaves, native to Libya, southeastern Europe from Sardinia to Turkey; Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The plant is noted for its dark-green leaves which grow on numerous, closely compacted branches, reaching a height of 20–50 cm. The plant bears pink to purple flowers that blossom between March and June.
Satureja spicigera, the creeping savory, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to northeastern Turkey, the Caucasus, and northwestern Iran. A perennial prostrate shrub, hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, it is recommended as an edging plant for rock and herb gardens. Used as a culinary herb, both fresh and dried, its flavor is similar to winter savory, Satureja montana, as it is stronger than summer savory, Satureja hortensis.