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Lavender Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to lavender
About lavender
Lavender is an herb in the mint family. The word lavender comes from the Latin word meaning "to wash," which is appropriate since lavender flowers were often used to scent hot baths. Lavender is a flowering shrub with woody stems and silvery-green leaves. Most varieties of lavender have small purple flowers, but pink and white lavender also exist. Lavender has a sweet, floral fragrance, with hints of eucalyptus. When used in recipes, lavender adds sweet herbal and lemon flavors.
There are over 100 varieties of lavender grown today. The most useful varieties in the kitchen are:
- Provence lavender: This varietal is used in the Herbes de Provence spice blend.
- Hidcote lavender: This is a type of English lavender with rich, fruity flavors.
- Rosea and White Ice lavender: These English lavenders have sweet, candy-like sweet and are often used in baked goods.
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean. There are a few lavender producers in the northwestern United States, but lavender is also imported from the Mediterranean, Europe, and Australia. Lavender can be purchased year-round, but the peak season is during the summer months.
How to pick out lavender
If you are cooking with lavender, always purchase lavender from the produce section, not the craft section. Lavender bunches sold in the craft section are usually ornamental varieties not used for cooking. Fresh lavender should have fully opened flowers and perky, blue-silver leaves. Stems should have a strong lavender scent. Avoid bunches that are wilted, dry, or moldy.
How to use lavender in the kitchen
Fresh or dried lavender flowers have multiple cooking uses:
- Add color and flavor to fresh green salads.
- Combine with citrus fruits to lighten up heavy dishes such as cheesecake and Crème brûlée.
- Use to make marinades and sauces for roasted lamb and chicken.
- Add flowers to fresh lemonade and sweet tea.
- Create a flavorful compound butter or soft goat's cheese.
- Make lavender ice cream with lavender-infused milk.
- Create lavender simple syrup for use in cocktails.
- Add flavor to jams, jellies, and custards.
- Add into shortbread cookies.
- Create lavender baking sugar by adding lavender flowers to your sugar bowl.
- Make an Herbs de Provence blend from lavender flowers, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, and savory.
Dried lavender can be used in place of fresh lavender in a recipe if you reduce the amount by 75%. This reduction is necessary, as the drying process intensifies lavender's flavors and aromas. Adding an excessive amount of dried lavender will give your dish a soapy aftertaste.
Dried lavender leaves have a light rosemary flavor. You can use lavender leaves in any bread recipe that calls for rosemary. Use twice as much lavender leaves as rosemary to make up for their milder flavor. Lavender leaves can also stand in for rosemary when roasting meats and root vegetables.
Lavender Near Me
Buy your favorite Lavender online with Instacart. Order Lavender from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about lavender
Like all herbs, lavender has a very short shelf life. Fresh lavender should be wrapped in a moist but not dripping paper towel and kept in your refrigerator. Properly wrapped, lavender will retain its signature aroma and flavor for several days. Dried lavender should be placed in an airtight plastic bag or container and kept in a cool, dry space out of direct sunlight.
Fresh lavender is easy to dry at home. Place a bunch of lavender stems upright in a vase without any water. You can also bundle lavender stems with a rubber band and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, and warm location. Both methods will allow your lavender stems to slowly dry over two weeks, keeping the stems intact and releasing their signature scent in your home.
Dried lavender flowers can be used for a lot more than cooking. Here are some household uses for lavender:
- Carpet deodorizer: Combine dried lavender flowers with baking soda to make a quick carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle on your carpet and vacuum.
- Potpourri: Mix dried lavender flowers with other dried spices, such as cloves, mint, or rosemary. Place the mixture in sachets and add them to drawers, closets, and bedrooms.
- Bath salts: Combine Epsom salt with dried lavender and add to a hot bath for a fragrant, relaxing soak.
- Soaps: Lavender buds add a fresh scent to homemade soap.
- Cleaner: Use lavender flowers or whole stems to add a floral scent to any vinegar-based cleaner.
Lavender flowers are a great addition to family recipes and can fill your home with their signature scent. Instacart makes it easy to find high-quality lavender at local retailers. Having a hard time fitting in grocery shopping? Use the Instacart app to order lavender and all your other essentials, no matter where you are. Our dedicated shoppers will fill your order in as little as 2 hours! Instacart also offers contact-free delivery and pickup.