Learn How to Cook With Lemon Balm: Homemade Lemon Balm Tea Recipe

The lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis), which is also referred to as apiatrum, balm mint, sweet balm, bee’s leaf, honey plant, and labiates, is a perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The name “lemon balm” comes from the Greek word for “balsamon,” meaning a sweet smelling oil. Still to this day, lemon balm is a prominent ingredient in the kitchens of Greece.

This perennial is a popular garden herb, thanks to its pleasant lemon scent, light green leaves, and small yellow and white flowers that are attractive to beneficial insects like butterflies and honeybees. With sizes ranging from delicate microgreens to larger leaves, lemon balm is a fragrant herb that can be used for numerous culinary purposes.

This aromatic member of the mint family has a bright, citrusy taste that brings together the acidity of lemon with subtle hints of mint. Both the stems and fresh leaves of lemon balm have a subtly sweet flavor and can be used in food preparation and medicine.

1. 1. Desserts: Given its sweet, citrusy flavor, fresh lemon balm and lemon balm extract are used most commonly in desserts like lemon tea cookies and lemon poppyseed loaf.
2. 2. Tea: Make a lemon balm tea with the recipe below, or infuse simple syrup with lemon balm and add to your next batch of iced tea.
3. 3. Salads: Lemon balm leaves are a great addition to fruit or vegetable salads.
4. 4. Vinaigrettes: Use lemon balm in a quick, lemony dressing made with olive oil and vinegar.
5. 5. Seafood: Garnish seafood dishes with freshly choppy lemon balm.
6. 6. Sauces and soups: Lemon balm can also act as a substitute for lemon peel in dishes like sauces and soups.

Lemon balm leaves and lemon balm essential oil are antiviral and rich in antioxidants, which is why they are both used in a variety of natural health medications and beauty products. Lemon balm is safe to consume in regular culinary amounts or small medicinal doses.