Saturday, March 27, 2010

Culinary Lavender

Today I had my first ever taste of culinary lavender. Wow! It was different, but it was yummy too. Some members of my family were not keen on it in the brownies we tried, but I do think I could get used to it...and I did like both the smell of the batter while it was being prepared, and the end result. I reviewed a batch of brownie mix from Little Sky Lavender Farm in Boulder Creek, California, and will be reviewing a batch of their cookie mix in a few days..a shortbread type cookie.
 While reviewing these products for the "Small Town Living" website it got me to thinking about the culinary lavender used in the mixes... L. angustifolia . I know that when I opened up the package of brownie mix I was in lavender heaven! The smell was wonderful! I am now on the look out for seeds for this variety of lavender because I want to grow some of it in my own yard, not necessarily just for the culinary benefits, but because I loved the scent of the lavender, and feel it would be fun to dabble with it for a little bit of cooking, but also for such things as sachets and displayed in vases and so forth. So the hunt is now on for some L. angustofolia that I hope to plant in my new yard soon.
~The Victory Gardener!~

(photo by flickr user Limbo Poet)

1 comment:

  1. Tina,

    If you lived nearby I would gladly share some lavender cuttings with you as L.angustofolia is the only variety I have ever grown and the one I most see being sold around here in CT. But since I can't do that, the next best thing is to tell you that Pinetree Garden Seeds(www.superseeds.com) does sell L.angustifolia and I think Johnny's Selected Seeds (www.johnnyseeds.com) does too. Both these places happen to be located in Maine. I wonder if it a regional thing because this is a very hardy variety that does well in New England. I hope that you are able to get seeds and get some growing for yourself.

    Do you get Hobby Farms Home magazine? The current issue has a wonderful article all about growing culinary lavender. The recipes that are shared look wonderful and I'll definitely be trying some this summer.

    Happy Gardening!

    ~~Anne in CT
    PS I also voted for your daughter's lovely apron. Wishing her success in the contest.

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