«Olivia» - Organic Lovage Seeds

Organic Lovage «Olivia»

Even though some people like to compare lovage to celery, it is almost like saying that an apricot tastes like a small peach. Lovage is a perennial herb that has been long cultivated in Europe, the leaves being used as an herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice, especially in southern European cuisine. It brings fresh taste to soups, beans, fish, tomato sauces, pickles, etc.

Lovage is a wonderful way to anchor a dish with deep, verdant flavour, like adding a bass line to a piece of music. It has something of the same deep, savory character as celery, but is also spicy, peppery and pungent. If you like lamb soups or stews, cook them with lovage once and you will not consider missing it again. With its wonderful, deeply savory flavour, it will quickly find its way into half the things you cook.

Lovage is one of the few herbs that don’t mind a little shade. It is a true perennial and hence is very easy to cultivate in the garden. Give it enough water and a rich soil and it will live in your garden for many years. It is sometimes grown in gardens for its ornamental foliage; mature plants have beautiful architectural foliage that will tower over your herb garden. In Italy it is rather charmingly known as 'Mountain Celery'.

During June and July, an ornamental umbel of yellow flowers appear, produced in umbels up to 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) diameter which are a magnet for pollinators. Lovage is considered a 'magic bullet' companion plant, one that improves the health of all surrounding plants, so should be given a place in the vegetable garden. It is adored by bees and makes a great home for the Black Swallowtail butterfly.