Iit is the plain narrow-leafed varieties and the non-flowering broad-leafed varieties of sage that are used as cooking herbs.
It is a common condiment for Mediterranean dishes, specifically Italian foods.
It is generally used in marinades for meat, fish, pork sausage, lamb and even vegetables like peas, eggplants, lima beans and carrots.
It is the perfect seasoning for poultry. Interestingly enough, sage is used in the preparation of English Sage Derby cheese and other soft cheeses.
It is also used as a flavoring in certain biscuits, scones, breads and other baked foods.
Generally sage should be used sparingly as a culinary herb as it has a very strong flavor that tends to override everything else.
When added in small quantities at the start of cooking, it pairs up nicely with other cooking herbs, like rosemary, thyme and oregano.