Bedouins… they are the land, merging into the landscape without borders in a world vast and unforgiving. They abide by nothing but the rains and the sun, sensing their future in the desert winds. But never alone, like the ibex that rely on the protection of the herd, Bedouins have strength through their family, as strong as their connection with the earth.
Sheep near Wadi Kelt
Traditionally Bedouins have been nomads and shepherds, roaming the land to find better pastures. They depended on their animals for nourishment-meat and milk products from their goats, sheeps or camels and traded for fresh vegetables and fruits. Today most Bedouins are sedentary and many have turned to agriculture, construction and driving for their livelihood but their hospitality and family ties have continued to be a strong part of their lives.
Overlooking Wadi Kelt
Even as modernity has slowed the wanderings of Bedouin life there still lingers the aroma of tea scented with wild herbs. There are a myriad of ways to prepare Bedouin tea, depending on the wild edible herbs available but sage, available throughout the year and in many parts of the country is often used.
sage tea with cultivated sage
There are 24 species of sage in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, although not all of them are aromatics and used to brew tea.
Salvia hierosolymitana also known as Jerusalem sage. It is non aromatic. Their leaves are stuffed much like grape leaves.
Salvia horminum, not eaten
Salvia fructicosa, aromatic-leaves used for tea and cooking
Salvia dominica overlooking Mt. Tabor, used to make tea
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I recall my camel ride into the desert at Wadi Rum(?) where we camped overnight and shared a meal with some Bedouin folk. A great story/memory that stays with me. The camel ride, memorable but what a nasty fellow.
We had mensaf, a very different meal for me, followed by some very strong coffee which kept me awake that night.
I worked at a hospital that cared for Bedouin women & children.
The litle girls combed my hair removing my bobby pins to the great applause of the women who thought I looked better with my hair down.
Lovely, gracious people.
I would love to learn more about your experiences with the Bedouins and what you learned from their culture.
I had Mansaf only once and it was very good, if heavy.
Very informative article. Didn’t know sage could be in colors other than green.
Do you use sage in Taiwan?
Such beautiful photos! Making tea from sage leaves is very healthy too. It’s beneficial to drink when you first get a sore throat from a cold, to enhance weak digestion, and as a tonic for the liver and kidneys.
To me, it tastes so bitter! Maybe I have used the wrong kind of leaves?
Thanks Emily, Sage has a very strong flavor so I add only a leaf or two, perhaps if you add alot of leaves and brew it for a long time it becomes bitter.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the useful medicinal properties of sage- I always feel healthier after drinking herb tea.
Sarah,
your photos are mouth-watering! I too recall a memorable trip to Jordan and to Oman — I love that region of the world and can’t wait for the next trip. I’m going to try some sage tea and see if it will perk me up a bit!
I’ll be back to trawl your site a bit more!
thanks for visiting, I have a little garden with herbs and it is the most relaxing thing to make a cup of herbal tea in the morning.
I really enjoyed reading this post, and the photos.
We use sage tea in Croatia. Mainly for medicinal purposes, although I can’t remember exactly what for right now.
This tea sounds so refreshing and I love sage. My husband would be so jealous of the camel ride. Wow, 24 varieties of sage just in your area alone. Begs the question how many are there in total?