What is the Top Culinary Lavender

What is Lavender

Lavender is an herb plant that is native to the Mediterranean and Western European areas. It was cultivated and spread around Europe for its many benefits and beauty. Since the 1500’s lavender has been a garden staple for many around the world. Lavender is used for its culinary, medicinal, and hygienic properties.

Today we are talking specifically about its culinary properties so we can get to know this herb and its benefits.

What is Culinary Lavender

If you are looking for a different flavor to add to your recipes look no further that lavender. Culinary lavender is a cooking lavender. Recipes like roasted chicken, creme brûlée, lemonade, and ice cream. Really, there are endless recipe possibilities for lavender, both sweet and savory.

Lavender has been used for cooking for many centuries and has recently become popular in high end restaurants and recipes. The most heard of culinary use for lavender is Herbs de Provence which is a mix of many different herbs. Meat dishes are the most popular dishes to use lavender in.

Grow Your Own Lavender

If you are planning on growing your own lavender at home, consider the different varieties of lavender that are available.

Most people grow an English variety of lavender known as Lavendula Angustafolia. It is the most common culinary lavender because it has such a sweet and citrusy flavor. Munstead lavender is the best variety to grow for cooking.

We grow Munstead at our farm because of its culinary uses! Lavender is very versatile. There are numerous recipes that call for lavender. It has a strong lavender floral scent but it’s not too soapy like other varieties can be.

We use our lavender in many recipes like Lavender Edible Teaspoons, Roasted Chicken dishes with Herbs de Provence , and Lavender Creme Brûlée.

I like to slightly roast the lavender buds to use in a recipe to give it a nutty flavor and reduce the soapy floral note that lavender sometimes has.

What are some of the recipes you make with lavender?

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