What is rosemary? A fragrant kitchen herb: how to use and store it
Rosemary is a fragrant herb widely used in Mediterranean cooking, in meat dishes, vegetables and bread.
This article looks at rosemary as a kitchen ingredient: what it is, how it tastes, how to use it and how to store it.
Meet rosemary
- Its scientific name is Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis), and it belongs to the Lamiaceae, the mint family
- It is an evergreen shrub native to Africa, Europe, western Asia and the Mediterranean, often found in dry, rocky areas
- The leaves are narrow and needle-like, green on top with white, hairy undersides
- The leaves are very aromatic with a strong flavour, especially when bruised; some varieties have a pine-like scent
Using it in the kitchen
- The leaves are the main part used, and the flowers are edible too
- It goes well with lamb, chicken, pork, stews, root vegetables, bread and butter
- Strip the leaves from the stem, then chop or mince them before adding to food
- Use it to flavour vinegar, jam or stuffing, or to make a herbal tea
- Dried rosemary is more concentrated: 1 tablespoon fresh equals about 1 teaspoon dried
Storing rosemary
- Rinse under cold running water and pat dry before use
- Fresh: wrap sprigs loosely in a slightly damp paper towel, put them in a plastic bag and keep in the fridge for about 10–14 days
- Drying: tie the sprigs together at the base and hang them somewhere well ventilated; a brown paper bag around them keeps dust off
- Freezing: freeze leaves in ice cube trays with water or olive oil, or freeze sprigs on a tray and then move them to a freezer bag
Safety notes
- Under US Food and Drug Administration rules, rosemary is listed among spices and natural seasonings generally recognised as safe for their intended use in food
- Rosemary essential oil is highly concentrated and quite different from the leaves you cook with
- The Better Health Channel (Victoria, Australia) says plant essential oils should never be swallowed or applied undiluted to the skin
- Keep essential oils out of reach of children; some oils can be dangerous in pregnancy or for people with certain conditions
- Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herb in concentrated form or in larger amounts than used in cooking
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This article is general food information, not a diagnosis, and people respond differently to foods and herbs. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take medication, talk to your doctor before using herbs in more than normal cooking amounts. Ask us on LINE.
Image and reference from official material in the MyHerbalife media library: Try it! Shrimp salad with sesame dressing and wholewheat noodles (illustration) (added to the library: Feb 2025)
Herbalife products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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