The flowers as well as the fresh and dried young leaves are often used as spices, especially in typical Provençal stews. Contrary to popular belief in this country, lavender is not poisonous - after all, the herb can also be used as a medicine, in perfumes or in the household.
Is lavender edible and how to use it in the kitchen?
Lavender is edible and is often used in Provencal stews, sweet desserts or as lavender sugar. Real lavender is particularly suitable for consumption. It harmonizes well with Mediterranean herbs, lamb or game dishes and sweet dishes.
Use real lavender
Real lavender, which is easy to recognize by its narrow leaves, is particularly suitable for use in the kitchen. It has a sweet taste similar to rosemary, but should only be used sparingly due to its intense aroma. The broad-leaved lavender, on the other hand, is less suitable for eating as it gives dishes a more soap-like note. Other varieties, however – such as lavender – contain significantly more essential oils and are therefore too strong.
Lavender in savory meat dishes
Traditionally, lavender is part of the famous herbal mixture “Herbs of Provence”, but can also be used fresh as a bouquet garni - i.e. H. as part of a bouquet of herbs - can be added to braised dishes and stews. The typical French ratatouille is famous, a braised vegetable dish with eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes, which is seasoned with the herb mixture. Lavender also goes particularly well with lamb or game as well as fish dishes. Dishes with sheep's or goat's cheese - such as grilled - also benefit from the delicately sweet aroma of spiced lavender.
Lavender in sweet desserts
Edible lavender also fits wonderfully into many sweet dishes. For example, you can scent the desserts with lavender sugar or lavender honey. The (dried) flowers are mainly used in desserts, while the young leaves are mainly used in savory dishes. But be careful: only use very young leaves, as older ones quickly take on a soapy taste.
Make your own lavender sugar
For a lavender sugar you need:
- dried lavender flowers
- table sugar
- a well-sealable container
Fill the can with lavender flowers and sugar in layers, alternating between them. Close it tightly and let the mixture steep for a few weeks. The sugar will take on the lavender aroma so that you can eventually strain out the flowers again. The lavender sugar produced in this way can be used, among other things: Use to make creme brulee, lavender ice cream or lavender cream. For the lavender ice cream, boil 250 milliliters of milk with the same amount of cream and 200 grams of lavender sugar and stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. In another bowl, mix eight egg yolks and fold them into the cooled milk. The mixture freezes in the ice cream maker to form a creamy ice cream.
Tips & Tricks
Lavender harmonizes perfectly with other Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, sage and oregano. But orange flavor (e.g. orange peel) or lemon also goes very well with it.
