A well cared for lemon balm will yield up to 4 harvests per season. In order to preserve the harvest surplus, hobby gardeners vary between drying and freezing. We have found out for you which method preserves the aroma better.

Here the aroma says goodbye, never to be seen again

The traditional method of preserving plants by air-drying them results in the almost complete loss of aroma from lemon balm. Since the taste is based on the high content of essential oils, these will dissipate over the course of the 14-day period. The same applies if lemon balm is preserved in the oven or dehydrator.

You will no longer conjure up a refreshing tea from dried lemon balm. The leaves are also no longer suitable for seasoning warm and cold dishes. However, lemon balm has not lost its healing power. The herbal plant is still recommended for the production of ointments or as an infusion for inhaling when coughing.

This is how freezing preserves the aroma

If lemon balm is frozen, the growth of microorganisms within the plant tissue is almost stopped. The slower aging of the herbs is not only associated with a long shelf life, but also with the greatest possible preservation of the taste. These approaches have proven effective:

  • Spread freshly harvested leaves on a plate and pre-freeze
  • Transfer to bags or cans when frozen
  • alternatively place chopped lemon balm leaves in the compartments of an ice cube tray
  • fill up with water and freeze

Freezing as individual leaves or cubes has the advantage that the lemon balm can be added to the food or drink directly from the freezer in portions. Intermediate thawing is not necessary, so that the bouquet cannot be lost.

tips and tricks

The aroma content of lemon balm is at its highest in the morning hours just before flowering. If you plan to continue processing immediately after harvesting, only a minimal proportion will be lost. In the ecologically managed hobby garden, washing is only necessary for heavily soiled plants. If this can be dispensed with, this measure also contributes to the preservation of the valuable ingredients.

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The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

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Vegetable garden