Savory is an annual, herbaceous plant whose soft stems are covered with many small, lanceolate leaves. It is green to blue-green or, in some varieties, dark green. As the name suggests, the herb exudes a scent of fresh beans, which also carries the flavour and, especially in summer, significantly enhances the taste of the pulses – regardless of whether they are runner or bush beans.

To make it easier to remove after cooking, it is cooked along with the stalk. It is also an essential spice for pickled beans.