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+--- Thread: Olive Herb (/showthread.php?tid=2391)
Olive Herb - Veggie - 22-11-2025
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"The Olive Herb plant is one of the varieties that we ("Urban Herbs" are most excited to bring back next year. You guys have loved it over the past couple of years and this variety has always sold out so quickly, so we will be growing many more this year.
The Olive Herb smells and tastes of olive, which can be used in so many different ways. As soon as we encountered this plant, we were amazed by the vivid aroma.
The leaves can be cut and stirred into a salad or used as a seasoning within a pasta dish or homemade pizza. The flavour is strong, delicious and versatile. We think that you will discover that this incredible herb really encourages you to experiment which different flavour combinations and ideas.
Enjoy adding an olive to your summer cocktails? You could also experiment by using a sprig from this fascinating plant to drinks during the summer."
Sounds tempting but, Why, do these retailers not identify these plants with their accepted name. Like James Wong seeds, a fancy name is more marketable.
So, I asked the Duck and he quacked back that its Santolina (aka Saponaria, aka Cotton lavender) viridens.
Unfortunately, Chiltern Seeds don't sell it.
RE: Olive Herb - JJB - 24-11-2025
I still don't know it, even with its common name. Is it useful and as tasty as they say?
RE: Olive Herb - toomanytommytoes - 24-11-2025
I have this. It does smell of olives, never tasted it though. "Incredible" is a bit of a stretch!
Ok, I just went out to taste some. The leaves are a bit tough and chewy, but the flavour is a lot like green olives. I think it would be nice on pizza, and maybe chopped up finely in a Greek salad.
RE: Olive Herb - Veggie - 24-11-2025
Thank you TMTT.
The combined knowledge of G&G comes up with the answers again. I put more faith in your opinion than Urban Herbs!
RE: Olive Herb - toomanytommytoes - 24-11-2025
I also have the cola plant (Artemisia abrotanum) from them. It smells exactly like cola bottle sweets. It's technically toxic, though safe in small quantities, and consumption isn't recommended if you're pregnant, or have underlying health issues (which is rather vague!)
The plants were a birthday present from my brother. There was also a sage (which died), and a rosemary which smelled like barbecue flavour crisps (which also died). The mints have survived though.