Urban Farm Hub

Lemon Balm tea

Do you have lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis) coming out your ears this time of year?  Mine is ready to take over the entire perennial bed.  In addition to tasting great it’s also supposed to decrease stress and increase mental function so it’s time to get cooking!

Here are some of my favorite ways to use this abundant herb.

Iced Lemon Balm Tea

Ingredients for one glass:

• 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup balm (fresh lemon, leaves)
• 1/4 cup sugar or to taste
• 2 cups boiling water
• ice
• 1 lemon balm sprig for decoration

Directions:

Put leaves in boiling water, add sugar and let steep until desired concentration is reached.  Squeeze in juice from one lemon, adjust sugar, add ice and sprig – enjoy!

Hot Lemon Balm Tea 

Ingredients for one teapot full of tea:

• 1/2 cup lemon balm
• 1 tsp lemon zest (grated)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cups boiling water

Directions:

Put leaves and zest in pot, add boiling water.  Let steep about 5 minutes, add honey to taste.

German Erdbeer – This is a summer wine often imbibed at picnics

• 1 pounds of fresh strawberries
• 2 cups lemon balm leaves
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 bottle white wine

Directions:

1. Halve the berries, then place them in the bottom of large punch bowl or glass pitcher.
2. Sprinkle the powdered sugar over them.
3. Add the lemon balm leaves to the berries.
4. Pour wine over the berry mixture, cover, and cool in the fridge.
5. Garnish with a sprig of lemon balm

Lemon Balm happily growing

Lemon Balm Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves loosely packed

Directions:

1. Stir together all 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Remove from heat, and let stand 30 minutes.
3. Pour liquid through a wire-mesh strainer into an airtight container, removing lemon balm leaves.
4. Cover and chill 4 hours.

Syrup may be stored in refrigerator up to 1 month or kept frozen for up to one year.

Fancy Fruit Cup

This one is so simple I hate to even call it a recipe.  Cut up your favorite fruit into equal size pieces.  Add chopped lemon balm and drizzle with honey.