Britannica AI Icon

winter savory

herb
Also known as: Satureia montana, dwarf savory

Quick Summary

Winter savory (Satureja montana) is a perennial herb from the mint family, native to Eurasia and North Africa. It is cultivated for its aromatic leaves and flowering tops, which are used to flavor foods, particularly poultry and stuffings.12

While similar to summer savory (Satureja hortensis), winter savory is a smaller, perennial subshrub. Culinary experts often find it more bitter and harsh than its annual counterpart. The dried leaves have a fragrant aroma and a slightly sharp, warm taste.2

Savory contains essential oils with various properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been traditionally used to treat ailments such as muscle pain, digestive issues, and blood clotting problems.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. winter savory
  2. savory

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.