What is Lemon Myrtle?
Lemon Myrtle ( Backhouse citriodora ) is a spice with a citrus-Setrusc, which is originally from the coastal regions of Australia. Its use as an aromatic reagent in cooking is limited primarily to Australian cuisine, but lemon myrtle is slowly adhered to in regions around the world, where it has migrated, especially in the southern parts of Europe and the United States and South Africa. Fragrant leaves, which are 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12 centimeters) long, are dark green, shiny and lanceolate or spear. Small, cream flowers of Lemon Myrtle grow in clusters on branches throughout the summer season.
Lemon Myrtle trees are also grown in the regions of China and Southeast Asia, where the leaf of prices for its essential oil, which is used for culinary and medicinal applications. The taste is bright and citrus, a laxated lemon flavor. Leaves can be used either fresh or dried. Dried leaves of good quality have an intense taste that can compete with the flavor of fresh leaves.
culinary use
Because the taste of the lemon myrtle resembles the taste of citrus fruit so closely, but lacks the acidity of the fruit, it is particularly useful in recipes that are based on milk or cream. It gives a strong lemon taste and does not cause the flower of dairy products. On the other hand, it is unsuitable for a longer cooking time, because the lemon flavor begins to distract and a strong eucalyptus taste may occur. For this reason, Lemon Myrtle is successfully used to flavor biscuits, ice creams and sorbets, pasta, fries, fish and grilled meat than food requiring longer cooking, such as roast and thick cakes.
In addition to its use in prepared dishes, Lemon Myrtle is good to add a taste to spices and marinades for poultry and fish, flavored vinegar, salad dressings and decreases. It can even be used as an aroming agent in hot or ice tea.
Medicinal usedí
Essential oil obtained from lemon myrtle contains antimicrobial compounds and is often used as a ingredient in shampoos, therapeutic creamy skin, soaps and household cleaning agents. It is believed that oil has the ability to bounce fleas and is therefore a feature of some shampoos without chemical animals.
If you do not have lemon leaves fresh in a grocery store in your area, look for an online supplier of exotic spices. Dried leaves are sold whole or ground and will be well maintained in the case of storage from light, heat and moisture.