How to Dry Lavender:

• Cut flowers in morning – after dew evaporates yet before heat of day
• (Rubber) band together in bunches of about a dozen or so stems
• Hang upside down in a warm dimly lit space with adequate ventilation
• Dry for one to weeks – until stalks are completely dried
• Once dried – dislodge the buds by rolling them back/forth in a towel or newspaper
• Store buds in an air tight container

Use your Hidcote and Munstead blooms in late spring and summer dishes. Fresh blooms should be submerged into water for a minute to release any dirt or insects hanging on. Dry the fresh lavender by wrapping them in a towel and lightly squeezing them. Lavender mixes beautifully with herbs such as rosemary, thyme and oregano.

Use fresh or dried lavender in the following dishes:

• Chicken (especially roasted chicken – my favorite!)
• Tuna or other strong flavored fish
• Salads (fresh lavender preferably)
• Stews
• Custards
• Sorbets
• Chocolate
• Jelly
• Sweets – cookies and cakes
• Heavy sauces (usually made with alcohol reductions/heavy creams)
• Breads
• Lavender honey - heat clean fresh blooms (no chemicals used) in regular or other flavored honey on low until lightly simmering. Strain flowers or leave in honey. Cool and enjoy.

Now - visit our Lavender Department department where you can buy your own Lavender Plants.