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.
