What Is Sweet Gale?

Sweet gale, also known as bog myrtle, is used mainly in cooking to season all kinds of dishes, such as stews, soups and game. Its catkins are used in craft and microbrewery beer, adding a touch of flavour and helping the beer foam. Sweet gale catkins can also be steeped for a delicious, truly local boreal infusion.

What Is the Difference Between Sweet Gale Catkins and Leaves?

The two taste much the same, but the catkins are more intense, peppery and very foresty.

How to Use Sweet Gale Catkins

1. As an infusion: On its own or blended with other northern plants, it makes a fragrant, soothing herbal tea.
2. In cooking: Fresh or dried catkins can flavour marinades, soups or sauces with a subtle, aromatic touch.
3. In natural perfumery: Used to make scented sachets or fragrant oils, sweet gale catkins give off a woody, invigorating fragrance.
4. In DIY care: Thanks to its purifying properties, it can be added to creams or lotions to revitalize the skin and scalp.

Good to Know

Caution: Sweet gale is an astringent plant, meaning it causes a tightening feeling in the mouth. This plant is also abortive if taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.

In the past, sweet gale was used to repel insects and to make dye. If you hike Quebec's forests, you've probably come across it, and the same goes for canoeing our lakes, where it grows along the shores. You may even have gotten your canoe stuck in a patch of it!

Sizes: 10 g, 500 g and 1 kg bulk bags.