Culinary herbs are fascinating plants. They have such a wide range of fragrances and flavors. And what I find most fascinating is the number of herb plants that have lemon and other citrus scents.
Some lemon scented herbs have a hint of lemon amidst other scents, while others give off a distinctly lemon scent when crushed or brushed by.
These lemon herbs are wonderful herbs to grow in the herb garden, for their scent alone. But what makes them extraordinary is the wonderful flavours these lemon scented herbs lend in the kitchen.
Lemon herbs add such a range of interesting and delicious flavours to meats, fish, salads, fruit, teas and cold drinks. Lemon scented herbs are especially popular used in herbal teas, and potpourris.
Here’s an offering of 9 lemon scented herbs to experiment with in the kitchen, and tantalize your tastebuds.
1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Balm is a popular lemon scented herb that is an easy-to-grow perennial plant in most climates. Bright fresh lemon scent is released when the leaves of lemon balm are rubbed together.
The leaves of lemon balm are most lemony in the spring. As the summer progresses, the leaves of lemon balm tend to develop sharper notes.
Herb tea made from dried lemon balm leaves is delightful. Throughout the summer, I prefer tea made from fresh lemon balm leaves.
Mix chamomile and lemon balm for a soothing, relaxing tea.
Iced tea made with lemon balm is also delicious, and a nice substitute if you don’t have fresh lemons handy.
Add chopped fresh lemon balm leaves to salads, and to fruit salads, for a hint of lemon flavor.
2. Lemon Basil (Ocimim americanum)
Lemon Basil is a great lemon herb to grow. The lemon basil herb is a tender annual herb that can be started from seed, or purchased at your local nursery.
The combination of basil with lemon is superb served with chicken or fish. Like other basils, lemon basil is best added last minute to your cooked dishes, or sprinkled on top.
Swap in lemon basil for regular basil in your pesto, for a wonderful fresh slightly lemony touch to an old classic.
Lemon basil leaves also add a great flavor punch to any salad, or light salad dressing.
3. Lemon Bergamot (Monarda citriodora)
Lemon bergamot herb is an annual herb, also grown as an ornamental. Enjoy the showy purple-pink flowers in your garden, and the lemony leaves in your kitchen.
Native to the American southwest, Lemon Bergamot was used by native Indians to flavor wild game, and as a tea.
Young leaves of lemon bergamot have a strong lemon scent that makes an excellent tea.
4. Lemon Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Scented geraniums are a scented herb plant, popularly grown in England. And there are quite a few scented geraniums with lemon scents.
Fingerbowl Lemon Geranium
Lemon scented geraniums, when used in cooking, are added to sweets. They are a nice addition to jams, jellies, candied for a confectionary decoration, or added to fruit punches.
Fingerbowl lemon geranium grows tiny lemon scented leaves , that were added to fingerbowls during Victorian times. This is my favorite lemon scented geranium.
The leaves of Fingerbowl Lemon Geranium are so pretty and fragrant added to a fingerbowl. Add a fun and elegant spin to a meal with messy finger food, or for a more elegant dinner party.
Finely chop the leaves of this dainty lemon scented geranium, and add to lemonade or fruit salads.
Other outstanding lemon scented geraniums that are suitable for culinary use are Frensham lemon, and Mabel Grey.
5. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates )
Lemongrass is a tender perennial lemon scented grass, hardy only in zones 11 and above.
Grow the lemongrass herb in a pot, and bring it indoors for the winter. Lemongrass will usually overwinter successfully indoors.
The tender base of lemongrass leaves is prevalent in Thai and Vietnamese cooking.
Use lemongrass leaves to flavor soups, curries, fish and chicken.
Lemongrass leaves can also be used to make tea.
If you’re looking for a variation on chicken soup, toss in some lemongrass and ginger. And enjoy the warm lemony twist to your chicken soup. Simple, yet exotic.
6. Lemon Gem Marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
Lemon Gem marigold is a pretty and compact marigold with bright yellow flowers, and a citrusy scent and flavor.
This marigold also comes in variations with orange flowers (Orange Gem Marigold), and red flowers (Red Gem Marigold). Grow these pretty annuals as a border plant in your garden.
All three of these ‘Gem’ marigolds offer up the same pleasant citrusy scent. I find the flavor of these ‘Gem’ marigolds mild and pleasant.
Brighten up your salads with these delicate little yellow, orange, or red flowers. The Gem marigolds also make outstanding edible garnishes.
7. Lemon Mint (varieties of Mentha with a lemon scent)
Citrus scents are common in a number of mints. There are mints with lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit scents.
The term ‘lemon mint’ can be confusing, as I often see bergamot mint and lemon balm also referred to as lemon mint. And bergamot mint is also referred to as orange mint.
An interesting lemon mint I’ve grown in my garden is Hillary’s Sweet Lemon Mint – and yes, this lemon mint was named after Hillary Clinton.
To purchase Hillary’s Sweet Lemon Mint, visit Richters Herbs online — Richters holds propagation rights for this lemony Westerfield mint.
Use lemon and other citrus scented mints as you would other mints — in teas, drinks, add to salads and fruit desserts.
8. Lemon Savory (Micromeria biflora)
Lemon savory is a very tender perennial (hardy in zones 11 and above), with an Intense lemon scent and flavor.
Different from other savories, and difficult to find, Lemon Savory is definitely worth a try if you find it.
Add lemon savory when cooking fish, or chicken, or any other savory dish that could use a lemony touch.
Lemon savory can also be used when making teas.
9. Lemon Thyme (varieties of thymus with a lemon scent)
Lemon thyme scent and flavor is an aromatic combination of thyme and lemony citrus.
There are many varieties of thymes with lemon scents. Green leaved varieties, golden leaved varieties, variegated varieties , all have that distinct lemon thyme scent.
Lemon thymes are as easy to grow as any other thymes. They are beautiful compact herb plants that lend themselves to growing in pots, herb gardens, and garden borders. Lemon thyme varieties exist in creeping ground cover growth, or low growing bush herbs.
Lemon thyme is a very versatile herb. Add it to teas, any meat, chicken and fish dishes. Also, add lemon thyme leaves to salads, and salad dressings.
My favourite use of lemon thyme is to make a simple bread stuffing for chicken, and add lemon thyme to the stuffing. Delicious!
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla)
Lemon verbena herb is a wonderful lemony herb, with very pleasing lemon scented leaves. The leaves of lemon verbena have a strong lemon flavor.
This perennial shrub is usually grown in pots, and brought indoors for the winter.
Lemon verbena leaves are very versatile. Add them to teas with other herbs.
Use lemon verbena in meat and fish dishes, and in soups and salads.
Lemon verbena is fabulous added to drinks, jellies, and lemony desserts – as lemon flavouring and garnish.
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Lemon Verbena
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You will find some of these lemon scented herbs at your local garden center.
For harder to find lemon herbs, or to enjoy the convenience of online shopping, click here… to visit Richters Herbs.
If you like to experiment in the kitchen, lemon scented herbs offer up an opportunity to create many unique and delicious dishes.
To your herb gardening success,
Barb
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