Culinary Lavender Reference Guide

  

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Culinary Lavender Reference Guide

Lavender has been used in cooking for generations, but it rewards care and restraint. This reference is meant to serve as a simple guide — something to return to when choosing, using, or storing culinary lavender.

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Lavender Best Suited for Cooking

For culinary use, choose English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) whenever possible. These varieties offer a softer flavor and lower camphor content.

Common culinary varieties include:

• Hidcote – slightly fruity, well suited for baking

• Royal Velvet – sweet with a mild citrus finish

• Munstead – balanced, herbal, and versatile

• Buena Vista – naturally sweet and consistent

• Folgate – mild and approachable

Note: Some lavandins are grown for fragrance or oil and are not ideal for cooking. Provence is one exception, best used sparingly in savory dishes.

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Which Part to Use

• Buds: primary culinary use

• Leaves: occasionally used in savory blends

• Stems: not recommended

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How Much to Use

Lavender should be subtle.

A good starting point:

• ½ to 1 teaspoon dried buds per recipe

• For infusions: 1 tablespoon per cup of liquid, then taste

You can always add more. You cannot remove bitterness once it appears.

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Best Uses by Type

Sweet dishes

• Syrups

• Sugars

• Shortbread and baked goods

• Ice cream and custards

Savory dishes

• Meats and marinades

• Salad dressings

• Herb blends

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Fresh vs. Dried Lavender

• Dried lavender is easier to control and most commonly used

• Fresh lavender is stronger; use less

Both should be grown without chemical treatments and intended for culinary use.

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Steeping & Cooking Tips

• Avoid long steeping times

• Do not boil lavender

• Taste frequently

• Pair with citrus, honey, vanilla, or herbs

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Storage Guidelines

• Store in a cool, dry place

• Protect from light and moisture

• Handle gently to preserve oils

Properly stored lavender keeps flavor for 6–12 months or longer.

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What to Avoid

• Lavender grown for crafts or oil

• Essential oils in cooking

• Overuse

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A Note From the Farm

Cooking with lavender mirrors how it is grown — thoughtfully, patiently, and with intention. When chosen carefully and used with restraint, lavender brings quiet depth rather than distraction.

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This guide reflects traditional culinary understanding and is shared for educational purposes.