Lovage Vs. Celery In The Fridge

Lovage and Celery: A Comparison

Introduction to Lovage and Celery

Lovage and celery are both green veggies that pack a punch in the flavor department and bring a load of nutritional benefits to the table. Lovage, a perennial herb, often gets mistaken for celery because they look and taste kinda similar. But trust me, they’ve got their own quirks that can change how you use them in your recipes and how you store them in your fridge. Knowing these differences can help you make better choices in the kitchen and keep your greens fresh and tasty.

Similarities and Differences

Lovage and celery might seem like twins, but they’re more like cousins. Here’s a quick rundown to help you tell them apart.

Characteristic	Lovage	Celery
Scientific Name	Levisticum officinale	Apium graveolens
Plant Family	Apiaceae	Apiaceae
Appearance	Dark green, glossy leaves; hollow stems	Pale green, ribbed stalks; feathery leaves
Flavor Profile	Strong, celery-like flavor with hints of anise and parsley	Mild, crisp, slightly peppery
Nutritional Content (per 100g)	High in vitamin C, calcium, and iron	Rich in vitamin K, folate, and potassium
Culinary Uses	Soups, stews, salads, herbal teas	Soups, stews, salads, snacks
Storage Needs	Wrap in damp paper towel, store in plastic bag in fridge	Store in plastic bag or container in fridge

For more veggie comparisons, check out our articles on english peas Vs. garden peas in the fridge and black eyed peas Vs. chickpeas in the fridge.

Appearance and Flavor

Knowing what lovage and celery look and taste like can help you pick the right one for your dish.

Visual Characteristics

Lovage and celery have their own looks, making it easy to tell them apart.

Characteristic	Lovage	Celery
Leaves	Dark green, larger, and resemble flat parsley leaves	Light green, smaller, and resemble parsley leaves
Stalks	Hollow, thick, and ribbed	Solid, crunchy, and ribbed
Height	Can grow up to 6 feet tall	Typically grows up to 2 feet tall

Lovage leaves are darker and bigger, and its stalks are hollow. Celery has solid, crunchy stalks and lighter green leaves.

Flavor Profile

Their flavors are different too, adding unique touches to your dishes.

Characteristic	Lovage	Celery
Taste	Strong, celery-like with a hint of anise and parsley	Mild, crisp, and slightly peppery
Aroma	Intense, herbaceous, and somewhat spicy	Fresh, grassy, and slightly sweet

Lovage has a bold, celery-like flavor with hints of anise and parsley, making it great for soups and stews. Celery is milder and crisper, perfect for salads and snacks.

Nutritional Value

Both lovage and celery are packed with nutrients, but they each bring something different to the table.

Vitamins and Minerals

Here’s a breakdown of their nutritional content.

Nutrient	Lovage (per 100g)	Celery (per 100g)
Vitamin A	1010 IU	22 IU
Vitamin C	21 mg	3.1 mg
Vitamin K	164 µg	29.3 µg
Folate	61 µg	36 µg
Calcium	431 mg	40 mg
Iron	6.3 mg	0.2 mg
Potassium	481 mg	260 mg

Lovage is loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and calcium. Celery, while not as nutrient-dense, still offers a good dose of Vitamin K and potassium.

Health Benefits

Both veggies have their perks.

Lovage:

• Anti-inflammatory: High in antioxidants like Vitamin C.
• Bone health: Lots of calcium for strong bones.
• Vision support: Rich in Vitamin A for healthy eyes.

Celery:

• Hydration: High water content keeps you hydrated.
• Digestive health: Dietary fiber supports digestion.
• Blood pressure: Potassium helps regulate blood pressure.

Culinary Uses

Lovage and celery can jazz up your dishes in different ways.

Cooking with Lovage

Lovage’s strong flavor makes it versatile.

• Leaves: Use fresh or dried in salads, soups, and stews.
• Stems: Great in soups, stews, and casseroles.
• Seeds: Spice up bread, marinades, and pickles.

Cooking with Celery

Celery is a kitchen staple.

• Stalks: Perfect for salads, stir-fries, and snacks.
• Leaves: Use as a garnish or in soups and salads.
• Seeds: Popular in pickling and seasoning.

Culinary Use	Lovage	Celery
Leaves	Robust, celery-like flavor, used in salads, soups, stews	Mild flavor, used in salads, soups, as garnish
Stems	Intense flavor, used in soups, stews, stocks	Mild, refreshing flavor, used in salads, stir-fries, snacks
Seeds	Spice for bread, marinades, pickles, hint of anise	Spice for pickling, seasoning, salad dressings

Storage Tips

Keep your lovage and celery fresh with these storage tips.

Storing Lovage

Lovage needs a bit of care.

1. Preparation: Rinse and dry the leaves and stems.
2. Storage Method: Wrap in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag or airtight container.
3. Temperature: Store in the fridge’s crisper drawer at 32°F to 40°F.

Step	Description
Rinse	Wash lovage under cold water
Dry	Pat lovage dry with a towel
Wrap	Wrap in damp paper towel
Store	Place in plastic bag or airtight container
Temperature	32°F to 40°F

Storing Celery

Celery is easier to store.

1. Preparation: Trim the ends and remove leaves. Rinse the stalks.
2. Storage Method: Wrap in aluminum foil or place in a container with water.
3. Temperature: Store in the crisper drawer at 32°F to 40°F.

Step	Description
Trim	Cut off ends and remove leaves
Rinse	Wash celery under cold water
Wrap	Wrap in aluminum foil or place in water-filled container
Store	Place in crisper drawer
Temperature	32°F to 40°F

Substituting Lovage for Celery

Swapping lovage for celery? Here’s how to do it right.

Tips for Substitution

1. Quantity Adjustment: Use less lovage because it’s stronger.
2. Chopping: Chop lovage finely.
3. Leaves and Stalks: Both can be used, but leaves are more intense.
4. Cooking Time: Lovage cooks faster.

Ingredient	Recommended Quantity
Celery	1 cup
Lovage	1/2 cup

Flavor Impact

Lovage’s robust flavor can change your dish.

1. Aromatic Profile: Strong, with hints of parsley and anise.
2. Intensity: More intense than celery.
3. Bitterness: Slightly bitter, enhancing savory dishes.
4. Versatility: Use sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors.

Flavor Aspect	Celery	Lovage
Aromatic Profile	Mild	Strong
Intensity	Subtle	Intense
Bitterness	Low	Medium
Versatility	High	Moderate

Recipes to Try

Get cooking with these lovage and celery recipes.

Lovage-Inspired Dishes

Lovage and Potato Soup A hearty soup with earthy potatoes and aromatic lovage.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 cup lovage leaves, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in the lovage and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Blend the soup until smooth and add cream if desired.
7. Season with salt and pepper.

Lovage Pesto A fresh pesto for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups lovage leaves
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blend lovage, walnuts, Parmesan, and garlic in a food processor.
2. Gradually add olive oil while blending until smooth.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

Celery-Centric Recipes

Classic Chicken and Celery Salad A refreshing salad for sandwiches or a light lunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Combine chicken, celery, and parsley in a large bowl.
2. Mix mayonnaise and lemon juice in a separate bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss well.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Celery and Blue Cheese Soup A creamy soup with a hint of blue cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion until translucent.
2. Add the celery and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until celery is tender.
5. Blend the soup until smooth and stir in the blue cheese.
6. Add cream and heat through.
7. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe	Key Ingredients	Cooking Time
Lovage and Potato Soup	Potatoes, lovage, onion, broth	30 mins
Lovage Pesto	Lovage, walnuts, Parmesan	15 mins
Chicken and Celery Salad	Chicken, celery, mayonnaise	20 mins
Celery and Blue Cheese Soup	Celery, blue cheese, broth	30 mins

Final Thoughts

Incorporating Lovage and Celery in Your Cooking

Adding lovage and celery to your dishes can boost flavor and nutrition. Lovage’s bold taste is perfect for soups and stews, while celery’s crisp texture works well in salads and stir-fries. For more ideas, check out our articles on cooking with lovage and cooking with celery.

Experimenting with Different Flavors

Trying new flavors can lead to delicious discoveries. Swap lovage for celery in recipes to see how it changes the taste. For example, lovage can add a deeper flavor to soups and stews.

Feature	Lovage	Celery
Flavor	Robust, peppery	Mild, slightly sweet
Texture	Tender leaves, firm stems	Crisp
Usage	Soups, stews, salads	Stocks, stir-fries, raw snacks

For more on substituting lovage for celery, visit our article on substituting lovage for celery. Enjoy experimenting with these ingredients and discovering new ways to enhance your meals.

For more veggie comparisons, check out beetroot Vs. red beet or green beans Vs. string beans.

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