Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis · Herb

40 pairings

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a soft, lemon-scented herb of the mint family, its crinkled heart-shaped leaves giving off a gentle citrus-and-honey fragrance when bruised. Used fresh in teas, salads, fruit dishes and desserts, it is best known as a soothing, nerve-calming herb — the classic ingredient of carmelite water and a mainstay of the cottage tea garden.

Picking a good onedrag

Just cut, leaves standing upBlack-edged, limp and wet

Market freshUse it raw and late - the lemon is volatile and largely cooks off. Whole leaves over fruit and salad, torn into dressings, or steeped as a fresh tea.Everyday best

The leafGreen, one or two pale leaves low down

Stem and cut endCut end drying brown, stem still stiff

Lift the bunchStands, then the tips fold over slowly

Rub a leafClear lemon, softer, comes on a firm rub

What to look for, from just cut, leaves standing up to black-edged, limp and wet.

Preparing