Lemon verbena, Aloysia citrodora, is a shrub of the Verbenaceae family, native to South America, which arrived in Europe in the 18th century and has since been adopted by the gardens of the South of France. Merely brushing its long leaves releases their lemon scent.

Verveine Odorante Feuilles Entières Bio offers these leaves alone, whole, from organic farming and harvested in Morocco and Portugal. Keeping them whole is not a detail: the leaf protects its essential oils until the moment of infusion, and you can watch it unfurl in the teapot.

The liquor is pale yellow, luminous. The taste is a floral lemony note of great finesse, without the acidity of a citrus fruit, with an almost sweet roundness that makes it immediately pleasant. The length is elegant and lingering, and the infusion remains pleasant even when prolonged. It is complete on its own, but also pairs with a mint or linden leaf for those who like to create their own blends.

Naturally caffeine-free, it finds its place naturally in the evening. One litre of water brought to 100 °C takes 12 to 15 g of leaves, which infuse for seven to ten minutes; per cup, this comes to 2.5 grams, 3 at most. Iced, it makes a very delicate summer drink.

In the kitchen, it flavours a crème anglaise, an ice cream, a peach salad or a red fruit syrup. In Bordeaux as in Nice, we serve it by weight, from a 15 g sample up to several kilos; at home, an airtight, opaque box will preserve its fragrance.