How do you use dried lemon verbena leaves?

Use lemon verbena to flavor desserts. For example, a few dried leaves added to sugar cookie dough results in cookies with a mild, tart flavor. The leaves also add a tangy flavor to pound cake, cheesecake, yellow cake, custard, fruit tarts, ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Can you dry lemon verbena in the oven?

Store the verbena by crumbling the leaves off the stems into a large glass jar. Lemon verbena can be dried in a slow oven but the tendency is to rush the process and end up with cooked verbena rather than dried. Store the verbena by crumbling the leaves off the stems into a large glass jar.

Can I dehydrate lemon verbena?

And each year, I pick, pluck, and trim the stems several times throughout the summer to dry for herbal tea through the winter because I simply can’t get enough of the soothing, floral, lemony flavor. Drying lemon verbena is easy because the leaves are already pretty dry compared to other herbs like mint or basil.

How do you dry lemon leaves for tea?

Rinse the fresh lemon balm leaves using cold water and lay out to dry on a baking sheet. You can also gather the leaves in bundles and hang dry them by tying them from a clothesline. Once completely dry, store the dried leaves in an airtight container or a brown paper bag and leave in a dark place.

Can you eat lemon verbena leaves Raw?

Lemon Verbena is an incredibly versatile herb, appropriate for both sweet and savory dishes. The young leaves are sweet and tender and may be eaten raw in pestos, vinaigrettes and salads. Fresh leaves should be wrapped in damp paper towels and refrigerated.

Is lemon verbena tea safe?

When taken by mouth: Lemon verbena is LIKELY SAFE for most people when consumed in amounts found in alcoholic beverages. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in appropriate amounts as a medicine, short-term. It can cause skin irritation (dermatitis) in some people.

How do you dry verbena for tea?

There are several ways to dry herbs for use throughout the year. One option is to cut bunches of lemon verbena, tie it together with string or twine, and hang it in a warm dry place with good ventilation. Once the leaves are dry and crackly, strip them from the stems and crumble them with your hands.

How do you keep lemon verbena fresh?

Fresh lemon verbena can be stored by placing it in clean ice cube trays, covered with water and put in the refrigerator to freeze. When ready to use, simply remove a few cubes and keep the rest in the freezer. Another way to store lemon verbena is by drying it.

Can I dry lemon leaves for tea?

Unlike grape leaves, lemon leaves are not edible. Dry lemon leaves in a dehydrator overnight, or in a cool dry place for at least a week, until the leaves become dry and crumbly.

What’s the best way to make lemon verbena?

To make lemon verbena tea, add the leaves to a teapot or tea infuser. Bring a saucepan of water to boil and then pour over the leaves. Allow the leaves to steep for 5 minutes before straining the tea. Serve this tea with honey or a lemon slice for more flavor. You can have it either hot or cold.

Do you need to dry verbena leaves before making tea?

Prior to bringing the plant inside, prune out any spindly stems. Do not overwater dormant, leafless plants. When making tea from verbena, you may use fresh leaves, of course, but you will want to capture its lemony aroma and flavor for use during the winter months. This means drying the leaves.

What’s the best way to clean verbena plants?

Wash the stems and leaves by running under the faucet in the kitchen or in a big tub in the back yard. Fill the tub with water, add the verbena stems, swish around and then remove the verbena. Drain the tub. Repeat at least twice to remove soil, dust and bugs.

When do lemon verbena plants lose their leaves?

Fertilize the plant every 4 weeks during its growth phase. Lemon verbena typically loses its leaves when temps drop below 40 F. (4 C.). If you want to try to extend its life, harden the plant off by reducing watering a few weeks prior to your predicted area’s first frost. You can then bring the plant indoors before it freezes to overwinter.