Salvia elegans, also known as Pineapple sage is a perennial flowering plant. Most of us are familiar with this as a popular decorative plant. It has a sweet attractive fragrance. It is famous for its tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Sometimes this fragrance may lead us to think is pineapple sage edible?
- Pineapple Sage- Salvia Elegans
- USDA Zone- 8 and above
- Native Climate- Mediterranean Climate USDA 8 to 11. Adaptable to any Zone with little care.
- Type- Perrineal in Mediterranean climate elsewhere annual flowering plant.
- Season- Late Fall to Spring in Native Mediterranean climate. Midsummer to early fall in Moderate climate.
- Plant Size- 4 feet or 1m High. 1-2 feet wide.
- Soil type- Well-drained, highly nutritious soil.
- Water requirement- Always keep the soil moist. Mature well-adapted plants can survive drought-like conditions.
- Flowers- Red tubular Flowers. It has a sweet pleasant fragrance. Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and Butterflies.
- Sunlight – Morning Sun with Partial shade in the Afternoon is good for Pineapple sage.
- This plant is ideal for flowerbeds, borders, or garden edges. Pineapple sage can also be grown in containers.
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Is Pineapple Sage Edible?
Yes, Indeed Pineapple sage is an edible plant. Its leaves and flowers both are edible and safe to consume.
The sweet fruity aroma is the first thing that comes to mind while thinking of a pineapple sage. If you have one in your garden then you definitely agree with me.
This sweet aroma results in attracting lots of bees, butterflies, and especially hummingbirds. With only 2 or 3 pineapple sage plants, your garden can feel like paradise.
Most probably this sweet fragrance made us think is pineapple sage edible? If you have a similar thought then trust me this plant is good to eat. Pineapple sage or Salvia elegans is an edible plant variety.
Pineapple sage leaves as well as its flowers are used in many culinary items. It is a native Mediterranean flowering plant. So you can find a lot of fruity deserts that have pineapple sage in them.
Are pineapple sage flowers edible?
Definitely, These flowers are edible. A pineapple sage plant bears lots of tubular Red flowers. These flowers contain sweet nectar and a mild fruity aroma.
This aroma attracts hummingbirds. The size and shape of the flower are perfect for these long-beaked birds. They feed on the nectar of the pineapple sage flower. It must be sweet that’s why the hummingbirds like it so much.
After seeing so many hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies feeding on the pineapple sage flower, most of us may think-
can you eat pineapple sage flowers? And the answer is Yes. It is true that we can eat pineapple sage flowers.
These flowers taste a little citrusy, a sweet minty flavor with a lemony tang. You can simply wash one or two flowers and chew them to try the unique taste.
If you like fruit salads then the pineapple sage flower can be a delicious addition to the dressing. Also, you can add a few flowers with other smoothies or herbal tea to give it a tang and minty flavor.
Are pineapple sage leaves edible?
Yes, Pineapple sage leaves are perfectly edible. These leaves are sweet in taste and have a pineapple flavor. The pineapple sage leaves are used as a complement to many fruit dishes. You can use it in salads, Cakes, Smoothies, or any fruit-based desserts.
You may have to crush these leaves to extract the true sweet pineapple flavor. Just mince a few pineapple sage leaves and mix them with bread dough to give it a sweet fruity flavor.
The herbal tea made with fresh pineapple sage leaves is very healthy. It contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It is used as a healthy refreshing drink by the natives.
Overall I can say that pineapple sage leaves are good to taste and great for health.
Is pineapple sage good for cooking?
Yes, definitely pineapple sage is good for cooking. Cooking with Pineapple sage is perfectly safe. You can cook loaves of bread, sandwich and a lot more with Pineapple sage.
It is entirely your personal choice where you want it to fit. Sometimes you can use pineapple sage as an ingredient else it can be used as a salad dressing.
Personally, I can say that Pineapple sage is good for cooking with fruit cake bread, Jams, sauce, puddings, and herbal teas. You can use it without cooking for dressing salads and sandwiches. Smoothies and Cocktails made with pineapple sage are also quite popular. You should check my favorite gardening tools on amazon.
What does pineapple sage taste like?
Overall pineapple sage has a sweet minty pineapple flavor. The pineapple sage flower can add a hint of tang to the salads and salsa. It tastes like citrus-mint, a mild sweet and sour taste. The aroma is strong still it balances the taste and fragrance of other fruits in salads.
The pineapple sage leaves have a sweet pineapple flavor. You have to either chop it or crush it to release the flavor. Both the flower and leaves can be used as a dressing for the fruit salad or salsa.
If you really want to get the true flavor of pineapple sage then mix it or cook it with any food item. I personally prefer using pineapple sage with the fruit jam and the sweet sauce. Give it a try, I think you will like it.
Final Words
Pineapple sage or Salvia elegans is an edible plant. It is a semi-hardwood shrub that can grow up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It has many culinary uses including Jam making. You can cook bread, Jams, smoothies, Herbal teas, fruit salads, salsa, and many other desserts with pineapple sage leaves and flowers.
Other than cooking it can be used as a decorative fragrant flowering plant. I personally like it that way. Do you have a pineapple sage plant in your garden, If yes? Then share your experience of growing and caring for these wonderful fast-growing plants with us.
Before leaving you should check out: 15 Easy to Grow House Cactus Plants
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