Bread clover is particularly common in Alpine regions. But the aromatic herb also grows in the garden. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the origin, cultivation and use of bread clover.
Strictly speaking, bread clover (Trigonella caerulea) is a collective term for various bread herbs from the legume family. What is meant by bread clover is the so-called Schabzigerklee.
Bread clover originally comes from the Caucasus, the Mediterranean region and Central Europe. Today, the spicy herb is mainly found in alpine regions and is valued as a traditional spice in Switzerland and Tyrol. In the high mountain climate, the bread clover develops a unique aroma.
For example, rustic breads, dips or hearty dishes can be enriched with bread clover. In Germany, the spice plant is less common – but it is worth cultivating and processing.
Interesting facts about bread clover
Bread clover is a versatile herb. It is particularly well-known as a component of traditional breads and baked goods in South Tyrol and Switzerland. Bread clover develops its aroma after the leaves have dried and is usually used in powdered form as a spice.
The taste is described as spicy, woody and slightly bitter. Bread clover is reminiscent of the aroma of lovage or curry. This is why the herb goes particularly well with hearty and rustic dishes.
Schabzigerklee tastes a little milder than the related fenugreek. Bread clover, like fenugreek, is also valued as a medicinal plant. In folk medicine, the butterfly plants (Fabaceae) are considered appetizing and digestive. The bitter substances and essential oils contained in bread clover are also health-promoting and taste-enhancing. However, meaningful scientific studies on the healing effects of bread clover cannot be found.
Cultivation of bread clover
Bread clover originally occurs in southern regions and alpine locations. At altitudes of 1,000 meters and above, the herb develops its traditionally spicy aroma and special taste. Due to the extreme weather conditions in the high mountains, however, clover grows very slowly there.
The bread clover is not only popular for its aroma, but also as an ornamental plant. The light blue flowers are pretty to look at and at the same time attract bees and other insects. They are a valuable source of food and nectar for pollinating insects. Bread clover can therefore be grown well with other bee-friendly shrubs.
If you want to grow bread clover yourself, you can plant it in the garden, in a bucket or on the balcony. Bread clover is not suitable as a houseplant.
Sow your own bread clover
If you want to sow bread clover yourself, first choose the right location. Please note the following:
Make sure the bread clover has enough room to grow. It grows herbaceous and reaches an average height of 60 centimeters.
Choose a sunny location. Bread clover prefers open areas with regular sun exposure.
Bread clover thrives best on calcareous and humus-rich soil. But bread clover can also grow on poor soil. Grow your plant in a suitable substrate so that the bread clover is always supplied with sufficient nutrients.
Simply sow the bread clover seeds in the garden or in the bucket. You can choose the size of the area yourself. Bread clover can be sown in a small pot on the balcony or over an entire lawn.
Prepare a piece of soil in the garden and make sure that no weeds grow there. Bread clover needs sun to grow and should not be overshadowed by other plants. Alternatively, fill a planter or pot with the appropriate substrate.
Scatter the seeds over the soil. The seeds can be quite close together (about an inch or two apart).
Gently spread the soil with your hands so that the seeds are lightly covered.
Water the seeds gently with some water. Make sure the water doesn’t wash them away.
Once planted, bread clover requires little maintenance. If the dryness persists, you should water it occasionally. Bread clover multiplies quickly and therefore only needs to be sown once a year. The best time is in spring.
Harvest the leaves of the bread clover just before or after flowering, when they are at their most aromatic. Bread clover blooms in June and lasts through August. So you can harvest bread clover for several months. To use them as a spice, dry the harvested leaves afterwards.
Use bread clover in many ways
If you want to use bread clover, you can either grow the herb yourself, dry it, and grind it, or buy it powdered. Bread clover is particularly popular in
bread and baked goods
dips and spreads
sauces
cheese dishes
potato dishes
rustic dishes and meat dishes
For example, use bread clover as an ingredient in a bread spice. The Schabzigerklee harmonizes perfectly with spices such as caraway, fennel and coriander.
Tip: Bake the traditional Vinschgau flatbread from Tyrol with the bread clover. A hearty dip with quark, garlic and olive oil goes well with it. Or serve your bread with a homemade herb quark, which you refine with the bread clover spice.
