Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
What Does Lavender Taste Like?
What Does Lavender Taste Like?. "Herbaceous," "woody," "undertone of mint," "earthy," "smokey," "apple-like" and "green" are descriptive of the taste of lavender. A member of the mint plant family, lavender has a unique and distinctive flavor that separates it from other species...
"Herbaceous," "woody," "undertone of mint," "earthy," "smokey," "apple-like" and "green" are descriptive of the taste of lavender. A member of the mint plant family, lavender has a unique and distinctive flavor that separates it from other species of mint. Lavender presents a floral, pungent aroma and flavor.
Plant Description
The deliciously distinctive fragrance and flavor of lavender has been prized for centuries. Native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, Spain and Portugal, aromatic lavender grows best in stony, sunny locations. Today lavender is cultivated in the United States, Europe, Africa and Australia. A short, heavily branched perennial shrub, lavender grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches. The foliage is composed of silvery-green, feathery leaves, oblong and tapered. Deep blue-violet flowers are arranged in spirals of six to 10 small blooms that rise above the foliage.
Lavender can be used fresh, preserved or dried. Lavender essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the flowers.
Incorportating Lavender Into Food Recipes
When cooking, you can artfully substitute lavender for thyme or marjoram. Grind lavender buds with natural sugar to use as a garnish or in recipes calling for sugar. Use 1 tsp. of dried lavender buds to 3 cups of sugar. Lavender is pungent and highly flavorful. A little goes a long way. Experiment with lavender, starting with just a pinch at a time, until you discover the amount that pleases your palate.
Lavender is often used with sweets, adding color, visual appeal and flavor to candies, cakes, breads, syrups, sauces, wine, ice cream, jellies, lemonade and tea. Lavender is also employed to add a sweet, herbaceous flavor to chicken, fish and pork. Lavender is added to honey and infused in vinegar and salad dressings.
Lavender Essential Oil Uses
Add 10 to 15 drops of therapeutic grade lavender essential oil to 1 cup of cream and 1/2 cup of organic honey. Blend well and add to a warm or hot bath. Lavender calms nerves, eases anxiety and promotes a restful sleep. Lavender's anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, emollient and anti-infection properties soothe rough red skin, relieve the sting of a sunburn, calm the itching of insect bites and promote healing of rashes and skin blemishes.
Lavender is used extensively in aromatherapy for calming, centering and balancing the body. Lavender derives its name from the Latin word lavare, which means to clean, bathe or wash. Lavender is an integral ingredient in many soaps, shampoos, perfumes, bath gels and salts.
Storage
Store dried lavender buds in amber or dark blue glass jars, or in metal tins with airtight lids. Properly stored lavender buds maintain their sweet fragrance and flavor for many years. Store lavender essential oil in tightly sealed colored glass bottles. Keep essential oil out of bright sunlight.
