Herb
Salvia elegans
B tier
Salvia elegans is the botanical identity of pineapple sage—the fruity-scented, red-flowered Mexican salvia used in drinks and desserts rather than European meat cookery. Leaves bruise to release tropical-herbal perfume. Use as pineapple sage in the kitchen. The binomial prevents confusion with Salvia officinalis when ordering plants or writing recipes.
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Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
BeverageDessertFreshInfusion
Traits
Culinary SpecialtyFruityPineapple Sage SpeciesSpecies TrueTender Perennial
History
MX
Botanical description linked S. elegans to Mexican aromatic garden sages.
Horticulture spread S. elegans as pineapple sage worldwide.
Ethnobotanical notes recorded culinary drink use of S. elegans.
Chefs cited Salvia elegans when specifying pineapple sage.