Are all varieties of rosemary edible?

Category: food and drink non alcoholic beverages
4.4/5 (111 Views . 40 Votes)
Common rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is desirable for its beautiful spring blooms, hardy nature and versatility. Rosemary has been hybridized to produce a number of cultivars. Because common rosemary is edible, all varieties are edible, but they do slightly vary in flavor and in their growth habits.



Similarly, you may ask, how many different types of rosemary are there?

There are basically two types of rosemary, those that are upright shrubs and those that grow as ground covers. Beyond that things get a little more complex, especially since one variety may be sold under several different names.

Secondly, is there more than one type of rosemary? A: There are several varieties of rosemary but most are selected for landscaping rather than cooking. Many of the landscape varieties have horizontal or prostrate growth. Seldom is rosemary left to flower when used as an herb, but the new growth is dried or used fresh.

Similarly, it is asked, which variety of rosemary is best for cooking?

Scented rosemary is best for cooking because of its excellent flavor and soft leaves. Blue Boy, Spice Islands, and White rosemary are also used in cooking. Arp, Dancing Waters, Golden Rain, Pink, and White varieties are more often used as landscape plants.

What kind of rosemary is there?

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue' is one of the best rosemary varieties for topiaries. It develops dense blue-green foliage that's easily sheared to any shape. It's highly fragrant and has many uses in the kitchen.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Is Rosemary toxic?

Rosemary is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in amounts found in foods. Rosemary is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used as a medicine when taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or inhaled as aromatherapy. However, the undiluted oil is LIKELY UNSAFE to take by mouth.

Does Rosemary have blue flowers?

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub with blue flowers. It is an aromatic and distinctive herb with a sweet, resinous flavor.

Can you use rosemary as a hedge?

Rosemary hedges will add style to your landscape while providing a sustainable source of fresh leaves for your culinary dishes. Depending on the variety, rosemary plants grow to heights between 1 to 5 feet. When massed together, their dense foliage and upright stems make an effective evergreen hedge.

Is Rosemary a fast growing plant?

Growth Rate
A mature rosemary shrub reaches 3 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter by its second season, although blooming does not occur until year two. Rosemary shrubs require six to eight hours a day, so indoor plants may need additional artificial light or a good window with plenty of light.

Is Rosemary officinalis edible?


Common rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is desirable for its beautiful spring blooms, hardy nature and versatility. Rosemary has been hybridized to produce a number of cultivars. Because common rosemary is edible, all varieties are edible, but they do slightly vary in flavor and in their growth habits.

Does Rosemary need sun or shade?

Essential. You can fudge almost every other requirement for tough rosemary shrubs but do not plant them in shade. Rosemary grows best in full, direct, year-round sun and prefers a location sheltered from rough winter winds. The shrub asks little in terms of soil.

What are the side effects of rosemary tea?

Side effects of rosemary include:
  • ingestion of large amounts can result in stomach and intestinal irritation and kidney damage.
  • seizures.
  • toxicity.
  • coma.
  • vomiting.
  • excess fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
  • encourages menstrual bleeding.
  • may cause miscarriage.

What Rosemary means?

Rosemary has become a universal symbol of remembrance. Today some still use sprigs of rosemary at funerals and sometimes brides wear rosemary at their weddings as a symbol of love, happiness and loyalty. Rosemary has been a prized seasoning and natural medicine for millennia.

Can you use rosemary when it is flowering?

It may surprise you to learn that rosemary flowers are also edible. They are tiny, purple flowers that appear when the plant blooms. Some folks believe that rosemary is most fragrant and flavorful just before the blooms appear. The blossoms are best eaten fresh and have a mild, delicate flavor.

What can I cook with rosemary?


In cooking, rosemary is used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, such as soups, casseroles, salads, and stews. Use rosemary with chicken and other poultry, game, lamb, pork, steaks, and fish, especially oily fish. It also goes well with grains, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, and spinach.

Can you eat dead rosemary?

Dried rosemary plants might be revived if the roots are still alive. Rosemary plants are hardy and able to withstand many adverse conditions, including freezing weather and short periods of drought. It is possible to revive dried-out rosemary plants, depending on the overall condition of the plant.

Is dried rosemary good for you?

The herb not only tastes good in culinary dishes, such as rosemary chicken and lamb, but it is also a good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6. It is typically prepared as a whole dried herb or a dried powdered extract, while teas and liquid extracts are made from fresh or dried leaves.

How do you know if Rosemary has gone bad?

How to tell if rosemary is bad or spoiled? Rosemary that is spoiling will typically become soft and discolored; discard any rosemary that has an off smell or appearance.

Can you put rosemary in tea?

You can make rosemary tea with fresh or dried rosemary. I prefer a fresh sprig from my rosemary bush steeped in a teapot for three to five minutes. A longer steep of up to 10 minutes will draw out more of the healthy oils and nutrients, but also results in a stronger, more bitter taste.

Is Rosemary bad for dogs?


This good-for-dogs herb is high in iron, calcium, and Vitamin B6. Rosemary has also been shown to act as an antioxidant. There is no reported toxicity for dogs although very high doses may result in liver or kidney problems.

How do you cook dried rosemary?

Cooking with Dried Herbs
Use one half the amount of dried herbs that the recipe calls for in fresh. So, if it requires a tablespoon of fresh rosemary, use half a tablespoon of dried rosemary. Add more as needed, or until you've reached the desired level of herby flavor.

How do you harvest rosemary?

Cut off the top 2 to 3 inches of each sprig, leaving green leaves and being careful not to cut the plant too close. You want to be sure and give it time to recover before winter sets in. You can preserve your rosemary by bundling the clippings with a rubber band and hanging them upside down to dry.