Dried Lemon Verbena

Dried lemon verbena is primarily used to brew a highly fragrant herbal tea, known widely as té de cedrón in Spanish-speaking countries. The leaves of the Aloysia citrodora shrub provide an intense, sweet lemon flavor that is prized for its aromatic qualities.

Beyond brewing tea, you can steep the dried leaves in milk or cream to flavor ice cream, custards, and syrups. They can also be blended into marinades or salad dressings for a bright, citrusy aroma without adding actual citrus juice.

No, lemon verbena is a deciduous shrub native to South America and is completely free of caffeine. This makes té de cedrón a popular choice for a soothing, late-night herbal beverage.

While both are lemon-scented herbs, lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) typically has a much stronger, more vibrant, and less minty flavor than lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Dried lemon verbena leaves also tend to hold their potent citrus aroma much better over time compared to lemon balm.