While lavender is mostly known for its beautiful purple flowers, fresh scent and aromatherapy benefits, it is also an edible herb. Lavender has been used for many years to flavor everything from decadent desserts to savory dinners, as well as various drinks like lemonade, tea, and cocktails. It’s important to note however, that not all lavender can be used for cooking. In this blog, we’re diving into the types of culinary lavender, benefits of incorporating it into your cooking and how to acquire this fresh herb yourself!
What Types of Lavender Can Be Used for Cooking?
Culinary lavender is an incredibly versatile herb to use in your cooking. A member of the mint family, lavender is similar to common herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme. When using lavender in the kitchen, it’s important to only use strains designated for cooking. There are hundreds of varieties of lavender, but many are grown specifically for their exceptional oil properties and craft versus consuming– Culinary lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with notes of lemon and citrus.
When choosing the best strain, we suggest English Lavender, also known as Lavandula angustifolia. English Lavender is the sweetest fragrance of all lavenders and is the one most commonly used for cooking. One thing to keep in mind is that the potency of the lavender increases with drying. Lavender is best used in almost all sweet and savory dishes, however, it can quickly overpower other flavors, so you’ll want to start with a small amount and add as needed.
The Benefits of Cooking with Lavender
One of the most popular reasons for cooking with lavender, aside from the fragrant taste, is the lack of added sugars, calories and fats. Because lavender is a sweet herb, you can use this in your dish to add vibrant flavor while keeping things healthy and organic.
Aside from the flavor, lavender flowers add a beautiful color to salads and other dishes which benefit from a fresh garish. Lavender also works as a substitution for other ingredients. Often, lavender is substituted for rosemary or other herbs in breads or an alternative to sugar. Lavender pairs really well with rich and fatty foods in chicken, turkey, lamb because it cuts through and lifts the overall flavor.
In addition, consuming lavender can be a great way to add more Vitamin A to your diet, which can support your eye health and prevent cataracts. Lavender is also a great resource for calcium and iron, boosting your general health and wellbeing. Not only does this special herb taste decadent, it provides a true sense of peace and tranquility within any form it’s used.
Where to Find Culinary Lavender?
At Baby Bear Farm, we offer beautiful, organic, locally grown lavender which has been flourishing on our farm since 2018. Through the tender care and growth of our farm, we have expanded to offer exceptional products for the mind and body, including culinary lavender!
At Baby Bear Farm, we take pride in never using insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides. This aspect is crucial, especially in curating culinary lavender that is toxin-free. Our lavender buds are hand-harvested and minimally processed so that we’re able to preserve their essential oils and natural flavor. We sifted multiple times so all that remains is the lavender buds (not leaves, stems or dried calyxes, which enclose the petals and form a protective layer around the lavender flower).
If you are interested in purchasing culinary lavender this season, we encourage you to visit us at Floyd Farmers Market on Saturdays (9 am- 1 pm) or reach out at info@babybearlavenderfarm.com
