Lovage (Love-age)
Lovage is a tall, sturdy plant with large leaves and bright yellow flowers. The plant takes its name from the distinctive heart-shaped seeds and fruits it produces. These fruits are commonly referred to as lovage or "lovefruit". In the same way, the seeds of the fruit are known as "loveseeds".
History & Usage
Discovery
Lovefruits have been valued as a food source since ancient times, which eventually led to their cultivation by various cultures. However, these plants only bear fruit once every eight years, but reliably produce fruit in the second year after planting. As a result, a practice developed in which farmers would harvest the entire plant after its first crop in order to sow the next crop, allowing for a faster turnaround time.
This left a surplus of unused stalks, and farmers sought a practical use for them. Over time, it was discovered that the oils extracted from the lovage plant had a delightful flavor when used as a dip for bread. This discovery led to the widespread use of lovage oil for cooking and flavoring. The availability of these surplus stems led to the exploration of the plant's culinary potential, resulting in the incorporation of lovage oil as a popular ingredient.
Similarly, over time, a significant surplus of lovage seeds accumulated. Initially, those who purchased the fruit for culinary purposes discarded the seeds, as attempts to incorporate them into food revealed their unbearably bitter taste. However, herbalists began experimenting with the seeds, exploring their potential use in feeding patients. While consuming the whole seeds produced no discernible benefits, it was discovered that chewing the seeds produced some beneficial effects for those who could tolerate it. Through further experimentation, it was found that pressing the seeds resulted in a concentrated form of the beneficial properties while minimizing the unpleasant bitterness. This discovery led to the development of the process for extracting loveseed oil, which enhanced the medicinal properties and made it more palatable for consumption.
Initially, there was concern about the side effects associated with the medicinal use of loveseed oil, particularly its temporary effect on fertility. The discovery of this side effect initially caused distress among users. However, as more research and understanding was gained, it was realized that the infertility caused by loveseed oil was only temporary. Once the temporary nature of the side effect was established, loveseed oil gained significant popularity as a form of birth control. Its contraceptive properties were sought by individuals and couples who wanted a reliable and non-permanent method of preventing pregnancy. The use of loveseed oil as a form of contraception became widespread because it offered an alternative to other birth control methods available at the time.
Everyday use
Lovefruits are often incorporated into many baked goods due to their distinctive sweet and tart flavor. However, their strong garlic-like aroma is often balanced by combining them with other fruits. Lovage oil is used in savory dishes, providing a unique blend of garlic- and olive-like notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.
The oils produced by grinding the seeds of the lovage plant are of great value in herbal medicine. They are highly regarded for their medicinal properties and are used to treat various conditions such as digestive and respiratory disorders. Ingestion of loveseed oil also causes temporary infertility as a side effect, which has led to its widespread use as a birth control. However, this oil is produced in small quantities, making it quite valuable and expensive.
Refinement
While they can be used whole, lovefruits are often halved or cored to extract the seeds, as herbalists and alchemists value these seeds highly and are willing to pay a good price for them. When pressed, the seeds yield a valuable medicinal oil known as Loveseed Oil. The process of obtaining a small amount of this oil requires a significant amount of seeds. In the past, it was customary to hot-press the lovage seeds to extract the oil, as this produced a greater yield. However, it has been discovered that the oil produced by this method tends to have greatly diminished medicinal effects. As a result, cold pressing of lovage seeds has become the widely accepted and preferred practice today. Cold pressing involves extracting the oil from the seeds without applying excessive heat, thereby preserving the beneficial properties and ensuring that the oil retains its medicinal qualities.
In addition, the stalks of the lovage plant can be ground and pressed to produce lovage oil, which is highly valued as a cooking and flavoring oil, although it does not have the same medicinal properties as the seed oil. There are two different methods of making lovage oil. The preferred method involves an extended drying period for the stems prior to pressing. This process results in a cleaner and more stable oil with a longer shelf life. Optionally, the dried stems can be lightly toasted to impart a toasty flavor to the oil. Many professional chefs keep both pure and toasted lovage oil in their pantries for various culinary applications.
The alternative method is to press the fresh stems, which produces a juice containing a mixture of the plant's oil, sap, and a significant amount of water. The mixture is then left to settle, allowing different layers to form. The oil is then decanted and filtered from these layers. While this method is generally faster, it carries the risk of moisture contamination in the oil, which can lead to faster degradation.
Byproducts & Sideproducts
The processing of lovage and its seeds produces a significant amount of dried and ground plant material. In many cases, this leftover material is composted as fertilizer or used as livestock feed.
Type
Organic
Odor
Strong odor reminiscent of garlic or onion
Taste
Raw: Very acidic and tart; Cooked: mildly acidic and sweet
Color
Vibrant green stalk, bright yellow flowers, orange to pink fruits
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