Black Sage & Cacao Tonic
One of my most favorite and distinct local plants that grows abundantly in our area is black sage (Salvia mellifera). While it is related to the garden sage used in cooking, it has a deeper, stronger and more complex flavor with a hint of mint. I use this in both savory and sweet dishes and it often pairs well with chocolate. As is common with many mint-family plants, black sage also has wonderful wellness properties: It is excellent for soothing sore throats and coughs, combating viruses and bacteria and is often used as a digestive tonic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk, dairy or alternative
- 5–7 black sage leaves, dried
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- In a pot, warm the milk over low heat. Gently crush the black sage leaves by hand and add to the milk. Allow to simmer for 5–8 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Strain out the leaves and add cacao and honey. Combine thoroughly with an immersion blender or in a high-speed blender.
- Serve immediately.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Jess Starwood, an herbalist, forager and chef based in Thousand Oaks, educates about wild food, herbal medicine and our natural connection to the land through what we eat. She has a master’s of science degree in herbal medicine and is the author of Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager’s Guide to Finding, Identifying and Using 25 Wild Fungi available on her website. JStarwood.com
