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The time is ripe and so is fresh fruit for getting creative using lavender in the kitchen. The abundance of fresh produce makes branching out easier, and exploring new flavors more accessible. It’s also a great opportunity to try out different herbs and spices, and, it might surprise you to know that lavender can be among them. At Lavender Life Company, it’s a staple in many of our meals, snacks, and refreshments. If you’re interested in adding a new dimension to your recipes, follow this advice:
Use the Right Lavender
What you’re looking for are culinary lavender plants and products, so check the labels or tags for the name Lavandula Angustifolia (also commonly called English or “true” lavender). It tends to be less perfume-y than the lavender that’s used in soaps, bath products, and other fragrant toiletries. We may be a little biased, but the best way to know if you’re getting the best quality is to buy it from us! You can shop all of our gourmet culinary lavender products here.
Know What’s Complementary
Culinary lavender’s lightly sweet, yet complex flavor marries with many different foods, giving it an abundance of uses. There are a number of fruits that lavender plays nicely with, including strawberries, citrus fruits, stone fruits, pears, and blueberries. It also blends well with rosemary (and can serve as a replacement for rosemary), plus thyme, oregano, and sage. Some spice shops even mix it into their herbs de Provence. Another favorite lavender go-with is chocolate. Oh, chocolate, what can’t you do?!
Find the Right Balance
Some culinary lavender products, such as syrups, scented sugars, and honeys, can be substituted with the same amount as their unflavored counterparts. But, with lavender extract, we recommend starting at about half of what’s called for in your directions and building up incrementally, if needed, to achieve the desired taste. Whole or crushed dried lavender flowers can also be a bit more intense, so sprinkle lightly to start. You can always add more, but it’s not as easy to take away!
Begin With Tried and True Recipes
Cooking with lavender doesn’t have to feel risky! You can gain confidence by following what the experts do. Some amazing concoctions have come from our test kitchen, including ice cream, popsicles, truffles, cookies, and more. And, who doesn’t trust Martha Stewart?! She collected some enticing culinary lavender recipes that you can check out here. You can also try our pre-made pancake mix, cookie kit, to get an idea of what you like.
Once you get your feet wet, we think you’ll be infusing lavender into all kinds of dishes. All you have to do is give it a whirl!
