Dried herbs have a stronger flavour than fresh herbs, so you don’t have to use as much in your cooking. The drying process does destroy some of those flavourful, aromatic oils, however, so they don’t have the same complexity of flavour as fresh herbs.
Fresh Sage Selection and Storage
Fresh sage leaves should have no soft spots or dry edges. To keep sage fresh, wrap the leaves in paper towels and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; use them within four to five days.
Fresh sage leaves also can be covered in olive oil and stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. This sage-infused olive oil is great for sauteeing.
To freeze fresh sage leaves, wash and pat the sage sprigs dry, remove the leaves from the stems, and pack them loosely in freezer bags. You can use them for up to one year. Freezing intensifies the flavor of the herb so proceed accordingly.
Dried Sage
Dried sage is preferred over fresh by most cooks and comes in a whole leaf, rubbed, and ground form. Rubbed sage has a light, velvety texture, whereas ground sage is more of a free-flowing powder. As with all dried herbs, store any form of dried sage in a closed container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Use dried sage within six months for the best flavor.
When to Use Dry Herbs vs. Fresh Herbs w/ Michael Symon | Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out | Food Network
FAQ
How much dry sage is equal to fresh sage?
Is rubbed sage stronger than dried sage?
Can I use fresh sage instead of rubbed sage?
Is fresh sage better than dried sages?
Fresh sage is a bit milder than dried sage, Spiceography explained. For best results, add fresh sage into your recipe at the end. However, if you’re using dried sage, you should incorporate the spice at the beginning of cooking to allow time to tame the strong flavors. With this sage advice, you’ll always know the right type of sage to use.
What are the benefits of having sage tea?
Tea made from Sage leaves, the leaves are rich in ellagic acid which exhibits antioxidant properties. This tea is mostly used in the treatment of loss of appetite, gastritis, indigestion, diarrhea, heart burn. This tea also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Excess dosage of sage tea will cause nausea, irritability and kidney damage.
Is dried sage good for cooking?
Dried sage is an excellent ingredient to spice up your dishes, even if you can’t get hold of fresh sage. With the loss of moisture, dried sage becomes more concentrated and delivers stronger flavors than its fresh counterpart.
Is sage dry rubbed or fresh?
People typically use dry-rubbed sage for items like Thanksgiving stuffing and sausage. Fresh sage is a whole different animal. You should look for leaves in the grocery store or in your garden that aren’t dry, brown, or spotted, per How To Culinary Herb Garden. Fresh sage is a bit milder than dried sage, Spiceography explained.