Herb
Lovage
Lovage is a tall perennial herb with bold celery-yeast flavour in leaves, hollow stems, and aromatic seeds. A little goes far in soups, stocks, potato dishes, and herb salts. Leaves are strongest when young; stems can be candied like angelica; seeds season breads and pickles. Less common in modern retail than parsley or celery seed, it remains a traditional European garden herb.
Also known as: Liebstöckel, Livèche, Lubczyk
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History
Lovage was cultivated in classical Mediterranean gardens for food and medicine.
Central European monastery and cottage gardens preserved lovage as a celery-like soup herb.
English herbals recorded lovage leaf, stem, and seed for culinary and household use.
Lovage declined in mass retail but persisted in heritage gardens and specialty herb farms.