Updated on November 11th, 2022
One of the most common questions people ask is, “What does lavender taste like?” Many people enjoy the floral aroma but aren’t sure if they like it. Aside from its pungent floral flavor, lavender also has subtle undertones of mint and herbaceous flavors. It has a more delicate floral flavor and is often preferred by people who prefer a delicate flavor. While some varieties of lavender have additional undertones, most don’t have any problem figuring out whether or not lavender is a good choice for cooking.
Although there are different kinds of lavender, they all share a similar flavor. The French variety, Lavandula intermedia, is often used in a herb mixture called Herbs de Provence. It has a more camphor flavor than its Angustifolia counterpart and is often bitter in taste. If you’re trying to find a culinary lavender, it will give you the exact flavor you’re looking for.
What Is Lavender?
Lavender is a mint-family flowering plant with a sweet floral aroma that is easily recognized. It’s thought to be a Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian species.
Lavenders are small evergreen shrubs with hoary linear leaves that are gray-green in color. Purple blooms with little nutlet fruits are sparingly distributed on spikes at the terminals of long naked stalks. Shiny oil glands embedded among tiny star-shaped trichomes (plant hairs) that cover the flowers, leaves, and stems produce the plant’s aroma. Plants in culture don’t usually produce seed; hence propagation is done through cuttings or root division.
What Does Lavender Taste Like?
The powerful, sweet-smelling aroma will touch you immediately while tasting the purple blossoms on a lavender stem. It tastes as fresh and light on the tongue as it smells.
Lavender is neither harsh nor very tasty, despite its lack of sweetness. With hints of mint and sparkling citrus, it’s a hybrid between a rose and the herb rosemary. The flower is pretty, but it has an excellent flavor appealing to the taste buds. The best part about lavender is that it has a delicate flavor, and its spiciness and flavor are the two main reasons it is so prevalent in cooking.
English lavender is the most popular variety for cooking. This type of lavender is sweeter and has a more sour taste than other types of lavender.
Is Lavender Healthy For Us?
Eating lavender has several health benefits, including increasing your vitamin and mineral intake and protecting the body against antioxidants and stress.
Minimal Calories and Fat
When you include lavender in your diet, you’ll have access to a low-calorie, low-fat dish with a floral aroma. A 100 g serving of lavender provides 49 calories and 1 g of fat to your diet. Because lavender is rarely consumed on its own, add these calories to the items, you add lavender. The fat in lavender is insignificant in your diet; the maximum recommended consumption of this macronutrient is 44 to 78 g per day if you stick to a 2,000-calorie diet.
Vitamin A is essential for eye health.
A serving of lavender contains 287 IU of vitamin A, which is only a minor percentage of the daily requirement of 5,000 IU. This flowery cuisine is high in vitamin A, good for your eyes. This vitamin aids in preventing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, night blindness, dry eyes, and infections of the eyes. It also helps to maintain the condition of your skin and mucus membranes.
Calcium for Bone Health
Lavender has a calcium content of 215 mg per 100 g serving. In general, you need 1,000 mg of this mineral each day in your diet, but you may need 1,200 mg or more as you get older. Lavender’s calcium helps strengthen your bones and prevent osteoporosis, and it may also help with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Iron is essential for blood health.
Increase your iron intake by eating lavender. One serving contains 2 mg of iron, a significant component of 8 to 11 mg recommended daily intake. Iron aids in the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin in the blood. Anemia, a disorder that makes you weary and listless, can develop if you don’t get enough iron in your diet.
Effects of Protection and Calming
Over 100 substances have been identified in lavender, including phytochemicals and antioxidants. The most well-known of these chemicals is limonene, which stimulates liver digestive enzymes and may aid in detoxifying carcinogens in the body. Lavender is also known for its sedative properties. Lavender can assist in relieving stress, anxiety, rheumatism, distension, and sleeplessness when used in a lavender tea recipe, as an essential oil, or in personal-care items like bath salts and body lotions.
How To Store Dried Lavender?
- Choose an airtight container or containers to guarantee that your lavender lasts for many years. The best way to store dried lavender is in Mason jars with airtight lids.
- The most crucial thing to consider is whether or not the lavender is sufficiently dry, and it takes around 2 to 3 weeks to completely dry it out. Mold can grow from even a tiny amount of moisture.
- Lavender should be kept in the dark, dry location away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or humidity. Getting colored jars is also an excellent technique to keep the dried lavender from being ruined by the sun.
- Place in a low-humidity, stable-temperature environment. Mold can destroy dried lavender due to temperature fluctuations and high humidity.
Is Lavender Toxic In Some Ways?
It’s critical to be informed of any potential health hazards or side effects associated with the use of this herb.
- Lavender oil is not poisonous or dangerous when used for aromatherapy. However, eating the oil can induce unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Lavender capsules, on the other hand, maybe safe to take orally. Just make sure you get permission from your doctor first.
- Lavender oil should not be consumed because it is harmful if consumed. Poisoning symptoms include trouble breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you prefer to take lavender orally, make sure you purchase lavender supplements and follow the directions carefully.
- Keep in mind that some people are allergic to lavender and may develop stomach discomfort, joint pain, or a headache due to using it.
- Although lavender is safe to use on the skin, it might cause allergic reactions or skin irritation. Bumps, redness, or a burning sensation are all signs of a response. If you notice any sensitivity indicators or a reaction, you should stop using them.
- Repeated lavender usage has also been linked to a rare disorder known as prepubertal gynecomastia, which is increased breast tissue in boys before puberty.
Uses Of Lavender In Cooking
There are also several ways to use lavender in cooking.
- The fresh flower buds are widely used in teas, desserts, and cookies, making great culinary garnishes.
- Its aromatic qualities make it an excellent choice for aromatherapy treatments and help with muscle aches and pains.
- It can also be used to make herbal teas. It is available in cooking, baking, and even as a natural perfume.
- Aside from being an herb, lavender can also be used as a flavoring. It is commonly used in cooking, and you can lightly toast the leaves or stems to release the aromatic oils. Its fragrance is also the source of lavender essential oil, which you can buy in stores.
- Its floral notes make it a perfect addition to chocolate and citrus dishes, with mint and rosemary.
Specialty spice and herb shops and apothecaries, as well as some well-stocked grocery stores and farmers’ markets, carry this fragrant herb. You may also buy dried edible lavender online. Lavender plants are a bright and practical addition to your landscape that may be readily grown at home.
It’s crucial to use edible organic lavender blossoms for culinary purposes rather than potentially chemically processed potpourri or fragrance-grade lavender. Never cook with lavender from an unknown source since it could contain dangerous toxins.
You can buy dried lavender buds in specialty food stores or online. You can choose from a variety that has been approved for consumption or buy an ornamental version that has been certified safe for cooking.
It’s easy to grow and harvest, making for an attractive springtime plant.
It has a more delicate floral flavor and is often preferred by people who prefer a delicate flavor. Typically, English lavender is used in kitchen and garden recipes, and its pronounced floral flavor distinguishes it from other types of lavender.
Conclusion
This article discusses the various types of culinary lavender and their distinct tastes. Although lavender has a strong flavor, it can also be used in savory dishes. Its flowers are small and pink and are very fragrant. The essential oil from lavender flowers is used in cooking and is extracted from the flower. This herb is used in savory dishes and sweets, and it is also great in tea. In addition, it is also great for relaxing and relieving the body.
While lavender is generally used as a culinary herb, it also has a strong floral flavor. The leaves are usually used as herbal tea. However, dried flowers are used to enhance the flavor of baked goods. When cooking with lavender, it is best to use fresh or dried flowers. In both cases, the leaves are sweeter than the flowers, while dried flowers have a slightly bitter aftertaste. This makes it perfect for cooking and baking.
