Frequent myrtle shrubs (Myrtus communis) produce lovely, small white flowers throughout summer time and fall. Though these flowers look engaging, there could also be extra to them than meets the attention. On this article, we’ll discover out whether or not myrtle flowers are edible.
Are Myrtle Flowers Edible?
Most elements of myrtle shrubs are edible, together with the flowers, leaves, and berries. The small, white single flowers have a number of lengthy stamens, whereas the leaves are easy and lanceolate. The bluish-black myrtle berries ripen over the winter after flowering finishes within the fall.
Though ripe myrtle berries are edible, they are often unpalatable as they don’t style as candy as you would possibly anticipate. Myrtle berries are a great substitute for juniper berries in meat dishes. These berries are often ripe throughout late winter and early spring, however all the time verify that they’re totally ripe earlier than consuming them.
Myrtle flowers and berries are often dried and used as flavoring throughout cooking or baking. The flowers are typically added to salads as a garnish.
Myrtle leaves are extra extensively used and may present an alternative choice to bay leaves. Myrtle leaves are generally used to taste soups, stews, or meat or fish dishes. The leaves have a barely bitter and spicy taste, which may develop into overpowering should you use an excessive amount of. Take away the leaves after you’ve completed cooking.
Myrtle leaves can be dried and used to make tea. It’s also possible to use myrtle leaves to make important oils, which may have medicinal advantages.
Do Myrtle Flowers Have Medicinal Advantages?
The medicinal advantages of myrtle shrubs have been recognized to people for 1000’s of years. Whilst early as 600 BC, Mediterranean cultures prized frequent myrtle vegetation for his or her medicinal makes use of.
Myrtle vegetation are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. As such, myrtle has been used extensively to deal with pores and skin issues resembling zits, sores, and warts.
Myrtle bark comprises plenty of salicylic acid, which can be present in willow bark. Salicylic acid works as a painkiller and in addition helps with pores and skin issues. In actual fact, salicylic acid is likely one of the key substances used to make aspirin.
Myrtle important oil is used to deal with respiratory issues resembling bronchial asthma, colds, and flu. Myrtle tea additionally works effectively for these points. These myrtle merchandise can also have a chilled impact.
Myrtle comprises plenty of antioxidants and useful compounds resembling catechin, citric acid, quercetin, and tannins. Many of those compounds might increase our immune techniques and probably decrease the danger of sure cancers.
Methods to Harvest Myrtle Leaves
Right here’s a fast information to harvesting myrtle leaves:
- One of the best time to reap myrtle leaves is in midsummer. Search for new shoots as these present the perfect taste. Choose younger leaves which might be beginning to change shade.
- Utilizing sharp, sterile instruments, take away some younger shoots out of your myrtle.
- Depart some new shoots behind to assist the shrub continue to grow.
- Take away the leaves from the cuttings and dry them. You may then prepare dinner with them or boil them to make important oil.
Methods to Harvest Myrtle Flowers and Berries
Right here’s a fast information to harvesting myrtle flowers and berries for drying or salad garnishes:
- Choose wholesome myrtle flowers any time from summer time to fall. Merely take away them from the plant utilizing clear, sharp instruments.
- Harvest myrtle berries throughout late winter and early spring. All the time verify that the berries are totally ripe earlier than harvesting. They need to be bluish or purplish-black.
- Add the flowers to salads as a garnish or dry them. Add the berries to meat dishes or dry them for later use.
Edible Myrtle Flowers FAQs
Is Frequent Myrtle Toxic?
Frequent myrtle will not be toxic to people or pets resembling cats and canines. Myrtle flowers, leaves, and berries are all edible.
Can You Use Myrtle in Cooking?
Myrtle leaves, berries, and flowers can all be utilized in cooking. The leaves are a wonderful substitute for bay leaves, whereas myrtle berries are a substitute for juniper berries for meat dishes.
Is Frequent Myrtle Fruit Edible?
Frequent myrtle berries are edible when totally ripe, however could also be unpalatable as they don’t style very candy. Myrtle berries are higher when dried or added to meat dishes.
Are Lemon Myrtle Edible: Wrapping Up
Myrtle flowers, berries, and leaves are all edible. Dried myrtle flowers and berries are used as flavorings. Myrtle leaves are a great different to bay leaves, whereas myrtle berries can be utilized as an alternative of juniper berries. Myrtle leaves also can make tea or important oil with medicinal advantages.
For extra, see our in-depth information to the that means and symbolism of myrtle flowers.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener dwelling in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s captivated with nature and sustainability with a give attention to gardening and wildlife.
