Lemon Myrtle Leaf

Lemon Myrtle Leaf

Lemon Myrtle's aroma is a delightful fusion of lemon verbena, lemongrass, and kaffir lime, with a subtle eucalyptus undertone. Its flavor profile is distinctly lemony and tangy, featuring distinct notes of lime zest. Lemon Myrtle leaf is a delightful choice for crafting a refreshing tea. Enjoy it on its own or paired with green tea for a zesty and invigorating substitute for coffee or black tea. In the realm of culinary artistry, dry Lemon Myrtle leaves can be crushed or ground, lending their exquisite flavor to spice rubs, marinades, flavored vinegars, salad dressings, and dips. Picture it enhancing the flavor of your scones or muffins for a natural lemony delight.

This versatile herb beautifully complements a wide array of dishes, from seafood and poultry to ice cream and sorbet. Unlike citrus fruits, Lemon Myrtle's acidity-free character is a boon in milk and cream-based recipes, delivering a bold lemony flavor without causing curdling. It's important to note that Lemon Myrtle is best suited for recipes with shorter cooking times, as prolonged cooking may intensify its eucalyptus notes.

Ingredients

organic Lemon Myrtle Leaf (Backhousia citriodora)

Specifications

Story, Folklore, History

Lemon Myrtle is a beautiful Australian shrub naturally occurring in the wetter coastal areas of northern Australia. It can grow up to 3 meters high with graceful hanging branches of soft green leaves. The clusters of cream feathery flowers occur in Autumn, creating a spectacular fragrant display. The botanical name of Lemon Myrtle is backhousia citriodora.

The fragrant leaves of Lemon Myrtle, which are 5 to 12 centimeters long, are dark green, glossy, and lance-shaped, similar to bay leaves. Myrtle leaf can be used fresh or cool dried, which prevents loss of its essential oils.

Lemon Myrtle leaf has a fresh fragrance of creamy lemon and lime. It is due high concentration of citral in its leaves. Citral comprises over 90% of its essential oils, whereas there is about 10% of citral in lemon and lime. Some of the characteristics of citral are: it is an anti-fungal agent, non-acidic and is high in anti-oxidants.

In aromatherapy lemon myrtle and its essential oil is used for a variety of reasons. It has wonderfully relaxing effect and it is also said to improve concentration and promote better sleep.