Storing culinary lavender correctly is crucial to preserving its delicate flavor and potent aroma. Just like any other dried herb, lavender's quality can diminish over time if not stored properly. With a little care, you can keep your lavender fresh and flavorful for months, ensuring it's ready to use in all your baking, cooking, and tea-making endeavors.
The best way to store culinary lavender is to keep it in a cool, dark, and dry place. The three main enemies of dried herbs are heat, light, and moisture. Exposure to any of these can cause the volatile oils in the lavender to break down, leading to a loss of both fragrance and flavor. For this reason, it's best to avoid storing your lavender in a cupboard right next to the stove or on a windowsill where it will be exposed to sunlight.
An airtight container is your best friend when it comes to storage. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids, metal tins, or vacuum-sealed bags are all excellent choices. These containers prevent moisture from getting in and protect the lavender from air, which can also contribute to flavor loss. Storing it in an airtight container will help the lavender retain its potency, color, and fragrance for an extended period.
When stored correctly, dried culinary lavender can maintain its quality for about six months to a year. While it may not go "bad" after this time, you will notice that the flavor and aroma become less intense. A simple way to check if your lavender is still good is to give it a sniff and a pinch. If it still has a strong, pleasant fragrance and crumbles easily, it's likely still in good condition.
If you are a fan of using lavender in your cooking and baking, having a supply of high-quality culinary lavender is a must. If you're looking to buy lavender online, you'll find that many products are specifically prepared for culinary use, ensuring they are free from pesticides and other chemicals. Our website, islandlavender.com, offers a variety of products for you to explore. Whether you are looking for culinary-grade buds, simple syrups, or a beautiful lavender wreath to decorate your home, you can find a wide selection of items that capture the essence of our lavender farm. While visiting us in Door County WI is a wonderful experience, our online store makes it easy to bring these products into your home. You can find our Culinary Lavender Buds here: https://islandlavender.com/products/culinary-lavender-buds.