Lemon myrtle ✦

Myrte citronné

What it is

Lemon myrtle leaf carries the highest citral concentration measured in any plant, above ninety per cent of its essential oil, and the Australian crop was planted for flavour extraction before anyone thought to cook with it. Lemongrass, the usual benchmark for a lemon note, does not come close.

In the kitchen

Dose it in pinches: a quarter teaspoon of ground leaf flavours a litre of cream, and more turns medicinal and slightly bitter. Add it off the heat — boiling drives the citral off and leaves the eucalyptus behind.

Goes with

Coconut White chocolate Macadamia Sea bass Cream Ginger

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