Wild One Cyprus

Wild One Cyprus

foraging food

Lemon Balm

Μέλισσα

Melisa

Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis

other names: lemon mint, μελισσοβότανο, κιτροβάλσαμο, kovanotu, oğulotu, melisotu, acem otu, limonotu, limon otu, oğul otu

AVAILABLE: MAR-OCT

EDIBLE PARTS:

Description

  • A perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family
  • ovate egg-shaped, wide at base hairy textured leaves. The leaf margin is crenate rounded teeth /serate teeth pointed forward
  • Square stem
  • The leaves have a mild lemon scent
  • Small white flowers full of nectar in the summer

preparation

  1. pick leaves and tender stems for salad
  2. steep the leaves and stems in hot water to make tea

extra info

The plant is used to attract bees for honey production

Greek polymath Theophrastus in his book ‘Περὶ φυτῶν ἱστορία’ Historia Plantarum, written in c.300 BC, referred to the plant as “bee-leaf” (μελισσόφυλλον)

Also available in

December

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Olive Oil & Lemon

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