Lemon Verbena has a powerful and pure lemon flavour, often described as being more 'lemony' than a lemon itself. It's bright, sweet, and floral with a sherbet-like quality, and lacks the sour acidity of the actual fruit, making for a very smooth tea.
No, they are three different plants. Lemon Verbena has the most intense, sweet, and perfume-like lemon scent. Lemon Balm is in the mint family and has a softer, more herbaceous lemon flavour. Lemongrass has a distinctly woody, grassy lemon taste.
For a perfect cup, use 1-2 teaspoons of the dried leaves and pour over water that is just off the boil. Cover your cup or pot and steep for 5-7 minutes. Covering it is key to trapping the fragrant essential oils in your tea.
No, Lemon Verbena is a true herbal tea (tisane) and is naturally 100% caffeine-free. Its relaxing aroma and smooth flavour make it a wonderful choice for an evening drink.
Absolutely! It's a fantastic culinary herb. Finely crumble the dried leaves to flavour fish, poultry, salad dressings, and marinades. It is also exceptional in sweet dishes like shortbread, custards, ice cream, and infused syrups.
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a perennial shrub native to South America. It was brought to Europe by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 17th century, where it became highly prized for its intensely fragrant oil and culinary uses.
