Summer Savoury
Satureja hortensis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An annual herb which grows from seed each year. It grows to 30 cm high and spreads to 25 cm wide. It has small narrow greyish green leaves. They are about 1.3 cm long. These turn slightly purple during summer and autumn. The leaves are attached directly to a pinkish stem. The flowers are small and white. They are in spikes in rings.

There are about 30 Satureja species.

Where it is found

It suits Mediterranean regions. They do best in warm climates but are not suited to the tropics. They do best when grown in full sunlight. They are best in well drained alkaline soils. It does well in a fertile soil. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Albania, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Caucasus, Chile, Cook Islands, Cuba, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), North America, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as flavouring. They have a hot spicy flavour. They are used fresh or dried. They are used with tomatoes, beans, fish and salads. They are also used in cakes, puddings and sausages. Because it reduces flatulence it is eaten with beans and cucumbers. They can be used in cooking to reduce the smell of cabbage and turnips. The leaves can be harvested before flowering and used for tea.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is widely used in cooking.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, flavouring, herb, spice, leaves - tea, vegetable, stems

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed sown directly where they are to grow. Plants need to be supported by mounding soil up around their base.

The leaves can be dried and stored.

Its other names

Local names

Ajedrea, Anih, Anik, Anuh, Bohnenkraut, Bonenkruid, Chabyor, Cibriska, Dag kekigi, Kpndari, Ksiang po ho, Kyldel, Nadgh, Santoreggia, Sarriette, Vrtni šetraj, Zambur

Synonyms

Clinopodium hortense (L.) Kuntze; Clinopodium pachyphyllum (K. Koch) Kuntze; Satureja altaica Boriss.; Satureja brachiata Stokes; Satureja filicaulis Schott. ex Boiss.; Satureja laxiflora subsp. zuvandica (D. A. Kapan.) D. A. Kapan.; Satureja laxiflora C. Koch; Satureja litwinowii Schmalj. ex Lipsky; Satureja officinarum Crantz; Satureja pachyphylla K. Koch; Satureja zuvandica D. A. Kapan.; Thymus cunila E. H. L. Krause;