Petite® Lavender
Inventory, 4 oz : 0
This item was last sold on : 12/23/21
Fresh Origins | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Petite® Lavender is comprised of small, elongated leaves, averaging 10 to 12 centimeters in length, that have a lanceolate shape, tapering slightly to a point on the non-stem end. The leaves are smooth, flat, soft, and dark green to grey-green, showcasing light green veining and even uniform edges. Each leaf is attached to crunchy, pale green stems and the leaves have a crisp, succulent, and tender consistency. Petite® Lavender emits a pleasant floral aroma, and the leaves have a concentrated blend of sweet, floral, and vegetal flavors with light and refreshing, subtle citrus nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Petite® Lavender is available year-round.
Current Facts
Petite® Lavender is a part of a specialty line of boutique edible greens grown by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California. Petite® Greens are more mature versions of microgreens, harvested approximately 4 to 6 weeks after sowing, and Fresh Origins currently grows over 125 varieties. Young and crisp Petite® Lavender leaves are an innovative creation developed for chefs to reimagine the way Lavender is used in culinary dishes and mixology. Petite® Lavender captures the Lavender flower's mild and subtly floral flavoring, but unlike the commonality of full-sized Lavender flowers, Petite® Lavender is a proprietary creation developed to embody the essence of the flowers in a unique, compact, and vegetal form. Chefs value Petite® Lavender for its natural appearance and ability to add color, flavor, and aroma to culinary preparations. Petite® Lavender can be placed individually on small plates as a procured garnish, or a handful of the greens can be quickly sprinkled across larger preparations for added flavor and textural dimension.
Nutritional Value
Petite® Lavender has not been studied for its nutritional properties. In general, Lavender contains some vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, vitamin E to protect the cells against free radical damage, and lower amounts of magnesium and calcium. The leaves also provide some essential oils that can evoke a sensory experience and have been shown to calm the senses.
Applications
Petite® Lavender is best used fresh as an edible garnish and is traditionally added at the end of cooking as a finishing element to prevent the leaves from wilting. The greens can be scattered over fruit salads, green salads, soups, and stews, or they can be folded into potato-based dishes, pasta, and casseroles. Petite® Lavender can also be used as a garnish over roasted meats, minced and mixed into dips, rolled into fresh cheeses, or infused into marinades, dressings, and vinegar. In addition to savory preparations, Petite® Lavender complements sweet desserts, including cakes, cookies, sorbets, custards, and ice cream. The greens can also be floated on cocktails or muddled into simple syrups, teas, and lemonade. Petite® Lavender pairs well with chocolate, honey, walnuts, herbs such as parsley, thyme, mint, rosemary, and sage, fruits including cranberries, citrus, and strawberries, cheeses such as feta, ricotta, or goat, and meats including pork, poultry, beef, and lamb. The Petite® Greens will generally keep 7 to 10 days when stored unwashed, dry, and in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It is recommended to use Petite® Lavender immediately for the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The name Lavender is derived from the Latin verb “lavare,” meaning “to wash.” The fragrant herb has been utilized as a calming scent in baths and oils since ancient times and was believed to purify the senses, soul, and body. Lavender also became a title for women who washed clothing during medieval times. Washerwoman or “Lavenders” would often incorporate Lavender into the laundry as a pleasant fragrance and would also drape clothing over Lavender bushes to dry. In upper-class households, Lavender was used as a fragrance for clothing drawers to repel insects and mask odors. In the 16th century, Lavender leaves and flowers were also beloved by Queen Elizabeth I. The Queen requested that the flowers be grown year-round, infused into her perfume, and used to flavor conserves that was always present in her household. Historians also believe the Queen drank lavender tea to reduce frequent migraines.
Geography/History
Petite® Lavender was developed at Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California, the leading American producer of naturally grown microgreens and Petite® Greens since the mid-1990s. Fresh Origins has been using the mild Southern California climate year-round to produce robust, healthy, and flavorful Petite® Greens, and the farm closely partners with chefs to create innovative varieties with unique flavorings. Fresh Origins also has the highest level third-party-audited food safety program and is a certified member of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which follows science-based food safety practices to promote transparency and honesty in production. Today Petite® Lavender can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States, including Specialty Produce, and are also found through partners in Canada.