Organic Lemon Savory - Satureja montana citriodora

The Lemon Savory (Satureja montana citriodora) is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in). This herb is cultivated for its lemon-flavoured foliage, which adds aroma to many dishes, especially fish, grilled meats, and sauces. It can also be used for infusion. Plant in spring or autumn, harvest from June to October.

Mountain Savory is a very hardy perennial herbaceous plant (up to -15°C (5°F)), belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It is a typical aromatic plant of Mediterranean cuisine, naturally growing in scrubland, fallow fields, and sunny slopes. The Savory forms a beautiful cushion of small shiny green leaves that release a strong scent, resembling that of Thyme, when crushed. This honey-producing plant has pretty white flowers with a slight pink hue from July to September.

In cooking, this lemon-flavoured and spicy herb from Provence is used as a condiment to flavour vegetables, including legumes, meats, fish, or sauces. Consumed as an infusion, it aids digestion and relieves bloating. Its leaves can also be used fresh as poultices to soothe skin irritations, such as insect bites.

It is an undemanding plant that thrives in sunny, dry, and well-drained soil. At the end of winter, prune it into a compact ball shape with shears to maintain its compact habit.

Harvest: leaves can be harvested from June to October by simply cutting the branches, ideally in the morning. It is preferable to carry out this operation before flowering to preserve the fullness of its fragrance.

Storage: The leaves of Savory are best consumed fresh to fully enjoy their fragrance. However, for longer storage, you can dry the leaves in the shade and keep them in airtight jars.

Gardener's tip: in the garden, don't hesitate to mix things up by placing some aromatic plants like Savory in the middle of your perennial flower beds or in sunny rockeries. They will integrate perfectly and the sometimes strong scents of aromatic plants often have the ability to repel insects that may attack more delicate plants, such as certain rose bushes.