Q: What is rubbed sage? I can only find whole dried sage.

A: Dried sage comes in several forms: whole leaves, cut leaves, rubbed and ground. Rubbed sage is lightly ground and passed through a sieve, making it quite fluffy. Ground sage is finer and more powder-like.

Use rubbed or ground sage when you want the herb to blend into the final dish. Whole or cut leaves can be used when you don't mind the presence of pieces of sage. You can substitute one type for another, but keep in mind that the same volume of rubbed or ground sage will contain more of the herb and be stronger than whole or cut forms, so use less.