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Lemon myrtle is a citrus-scented spice native to Australia that is gaining popularity in other regions. Its leaves can be used fresh or dried and are valued for their essential oil, which has culinary and medicinal uses. It is especially useful in milk or cream-based recipes and is a good choice for adding flavor to spice rubs, marinades, and sauces. The essential oil is also used in shampoos, lotions, and household cleaners.
Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is a citrus-scented spice native to coastal regions of Australia. Its use as a flavoring agent in cooking is limited primarily to Australian cuisine, but is slowly gaining traction in regions around the world into which it has migrated, particularly the southern parts of Europe, the United States and South Africa.
The lemon myrtle tree is usually small but can occasionally reach over 20 meters in height. The scented leaves, 5 to 12 centimeters long, are dark green, glossy and lanceolate or spear-shaped. The small cream colored flowers of the tree grow in clusters at the tips of the branches during the summer season.
Lemon myrtle trees are also grown in regions of China and Southeast Asia, where the spice leaf is valued for its essential oil, which is used for both culinary and medicinal applications. The taste is bright and citrusy, with a pronounced lemon flavor. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. Good quality dried leaves have an intense flavor that can rival the flavor of fresh leaves.
Culinary uses
Because the flavor of lemon myrtle resembles citrus so much but lacks the acidity of the fruit, it is especially useful in milk or cream-based recipes. Gives a strong lemon flavor and does not cause curdling of dairy products. On the other hand, it is not suitable for extended cooking times, as the lemon flavor begins to dissipate and a strong eucalyptus flavor may begin to emerge. For this reason, this spice is used more successfully to flavor biscuits, ice creams and sorbets, pasta, fries, fish and grilled meats than foods that require longer cooking times, such as roasts and dense cakes.
In addition to its use in prepared dishes, lemon myrtle is a good choice for adding flavor to spice rubs and marinades for poultry and fish, flavored vinegars, salad dressings, and sauces. It can also be used as a flavoring agent in hot or iced tea.
Medicinal uses
The essential oil obtained from lemon myrtle contains antimicrobial compounds and is often used as an ingredient in shampoos, therapeutic body lotions, soaps, and household cleaners. The oil is believed to possess the ability to repel fleas and is therefore a feature of some chemical-free pet shampoos.
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