We use spices all the time in our kitchens to enhance the flavor of our dishes. Why would we think that it is unusual to spice up our teas as well? Let's try some experiments with our blends.
Everyone has heard of Chai tea, but what is it really? Chai is Hindi for "tea" and usually refers to black tea spiced with cloves, cinnamon, anise, ginger, cardamom and black pepper. It is usually served with milk and a sweetener. Hmmm, spiced tea isn't so outrageous an idea after all.
Most spices grow in remote locations and are imported. These are not typically going to be grown in your backyard, but there are a few that are rather easy to grow. Let's concentrate on those. For the rest, try purchasing from a reliable source. I personally like Monterey Bay Spice Company out of California.
You all know by now that I live in zone 5a, so let's look at the spices and herbs that I can grow here. Mint springs to mind and there are lots of different types of mint plants. I am growing spearmint, applemint, grapefruit mint, Mojito mint, chocolate mint and peppermint. Of these, the peppermint keeps its mint flavor best when dried. Mint is easy to grow and you can harvest you mint continuously as it will spring back up after you trim it back. Be careful though, as mint tends to spread aggressively. You should probably grow it in pots.
Fennel is another herb that is easy to grow as well as feverfew, verbena, lemon balm and rosemary, just to name a few. Note that some of these plants will not last the Winter here. If you want to continue growing the same rosemary plant, you will need to Winter it over in your cellar as it cannot stand the cold.
Check with your local nursery for herbs that you can grow locally. Usually, if it is available for purchase in your area, then you can grow it. When in doubt, ask someone at the nursery for special care instructions.
Showing posts with label lemon balm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lemon balm. Show all posts
Friday, May 17, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 6 - Balmy With a Chance of Lemons
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a small shrub-like plant and is a member of the mint family with similar oval-shaped leaves. Native to Europe and the Mediterranean, it is grown all over the world. Lemon balm has a faint lemon scent and has been used for centuries to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion.
Lemon Balm grow to around 24 inches tall and looks like over-sized mint. After the last frost, plant in a sunny location. In some of the warmer zones, it will do better in partial shade, especially at mid-day. Whenever your plant is looking tired due to drought, hail, insects, or other stress, just cut it back and let it rejuvenate itself with fresh, new growth. Lemon balm likes rich, moist, but well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. Because it is harvested continually for lots of leaves, it needs a little fertilizer.
Harvesting, Drying and Storing
Harvest the leaves of this plant throughout the Summer and dry using your dehydrator. If you don't own a dehydrator, you can use a drying screen in a dark place. Store dehydrated leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
Special Notes
Lemon balm may be considered a noxious weed or invasive plant in some areas. Lemon balm is drought tolerant and is useful in xeriscaping. Lemon balm is known to attract bees, butterflies and birds and has fragrant blossoms. Lemon balm self-sows freely; remove flowers (deadhead) if you do not want volunteer seedlings the following season.
Lemon balm is often used as a flavoring in ice cream and herbal teas, both hot and iced, often in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. It is also frequently paired with fruit dishes or candies. It can be used in fish dishes and is the key ingredient in lemon balm pesto. It has been suggested that it might be a better, healthier preservative than beta hydroxy acid in sausages.
The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for mosquitoes.
Lemon balm is also used medicinally as an herbal tea, or in extract form. It is claimed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties
Lemon Balm grow to around 24 inches tall and looks like over-sized mint. After the last frost, plant in a sunny location. In some of the warmer zones, it will do better in partial shade, especially at mid-day. Whenever your plant is looking tired due to drought, hail, insects, or other stress, just cut it back and let it rejuvenate itself with fresh, new growth. Lemon balm likes rich, moist, but well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. Because it is harvested continually for lots of leaves, it needs a little fertilizer.
Harvesting, Drying and Storing
Harvest the leaves of this plant throughout the Summer and dry using your dehydrator. If you don't own a dehydrator, you can use a drying screen in a dark place. Store dehydrated leaves in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
Special Notes
Lemon balm may be considered a noxious weed or invasive plant in some areas. Lemon balm is drought tolerant and is useful in xeriscaping. Lemon balm is known to attract bees, butterflies and birds and has fragrant blossoms. Lemon balm self-sows freely; remove flowers (deadhead) if you do not want volunteer seedlings the following season.
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