The Science of Spice

144 Spice Profiles

The potent aromatic foliage of the

lemon myrtle tree has long been

prized – possibly for millennia – by

aboriginal Australians, who use it in

cooking and to treat cuts. The leaves

were first distilled for essential oil in

1888, and during World War II an

extract from the lemony leaves was

used as a substitute for commercial

lemon essence, supplies of which had

become scarce. However, it was not

until the early 1990s that lemon myrtle,

by then a potentially lucrative crop for

the food and drink industry, began to

be cultivated as a spice. Demand is now

outstripping supply, and plantations

have been established outside

Australia. Since 2010, lemon myrtle

has been under attack from myrtle

rust, a fungal infection, which could

threaten this species in the long term.

Region of cultivation

Lemon myrtle is native to coastal subtropical

rainforests of Queensland, Australia. It is grown

in some subtropical areas of Australia (mainly

in Queensland and northern New South Wales),

Malaysia, and China.

The plant

Lemon myrtle is an

evergreen tree in the

myrtle family, and is

related to allspice

and clove.

Powder

Lemon myrtle is most readily available

to buy as coarsely ground or crushed

dried leaves. It degrades rapidly in

sunlight and warmth, so must be

stored in cool, dark conditions.

Leaves are

thick, glossy,

and strongly

lemon scented

Flowers and

berries are edible

but not sold

commercially

Good-quality

powder has a

green hue; avoid

brown powder

BOTANICAL NAME

Backhousia citriodora

ALSO KNOWN AS

Sweet verbena tree, lemon ironwood.

MAJOR FLAVOUR COMPOUND

Citral.

PARTS USED

Leaves (fresh or dried).

METHOD OF CULTIVATION

Leaves are harvested all year round, by

mechanical harvesters or by hand.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATION

The leaves are separated from their stems

and then dried using drying machines.

They are packaged whole or ground.

NON-CULINARY USES

Cosmetics and perfumery; in herbal

medicine for its antibacterial and

antioxidant properties; topical antiseptic.

MALAYSIA

CHINA

AUSTRALIA

LEMON MYRTLE

Citrusy | Warm | Bitter

Spice story

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