Mention lavender and most of us think of the south of France but lavender actually came into France through Rome from Greece. The name is derived from the latin word lavare which means to wash. During the Renaissance laundresses used the herb to scent clothing and line drawers and were consequently known as lavenders. Lavender’s use as a perfume can be traced as far back 2500 years but it was not often used in cooking.

Kings and queens have insisted on lavender flowers in their baths and have demanded it in their palaces year round but searching through historical recipes yielded only one example of it being used on the table regularly; Queen Elizabeth I requested lavender conserve to be on her table daily. This may have been because she suffered from severe headaches.

In addition to lavender being used to cure migraines and insomnia it is an effective insect repellant and has anti-bacterial qualities. In contemporary cooking lavender is used in Herbs de Provence which seasons grilled meats, in breads, cakes and drinks.

There are two main varieties of lavender;  Lavandin and L.Angustifolia.

Lavandins are hybrids that are disease and frost resistant. They are what fill the fields of Provence and are used mostly for their strong scent. Grosso and Provence are the two main types found in garden stores these days. Of these two the French Provence is preferable for cooking. However, for culinary purposes it is said that L.Angustifolia, English lavender, is the best because it has a more mild scent. The Royal Velvet and Melissa types are coveted for cooking. Make sure there are no harmful pesticides on whichever type you chose to cook with.

If you plan on using lavender from your own garden first make sure that is a true, edible variety. Harvest just before it blooms (usually in spring) and dry by tying in small bundles and hanging upside down in a warm, dry environment for 5 days.

If you don’t have access to all the different types of lavender you can order dried lavender from Purple Haze Lavender Farm in Washington state or grow your own.

This delicious Lavender-Honey Gelato recipe is a great way to try this under-used herb.