Tag: Chamomile

How to use chamomile in the kitchen – Italian Cuisine

How to use chamomile in the kitchen


All the illnesses go by with a hot cup of chamomile, the grandmothers said. But do you know that chamomile is also a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen?

There are many species of chamomile even if the most used are the Matricaria chamomilla (or Matricaria recutita) also known as "German chamomile" and la Anthemis nobilis (or Chamaemelum nobile) also called "Roman chamomile".
Matricaria chamomilla has been known since ancient times and the ancient Egyptians already used it extensively.
In the past the flowers of this plant were used as tobacco.

Curiosity about chamomile

The word chamomile derives from the Greek word khamaimelon, which means small apple because in fact this flower recalls the scent of this fruit and also in Spanish, chamomile is called manzanilla that is "little apple".
Chamomile is an annual herbaceous plant that can be found a little everywhere in uncultivated land, in dry and stony areas up to 500 of altitude, and has an erect stem that reaches a height of 50 cm.
It is not easy to recognize chamomile because it is often confused with other similar small flowers. We can say that three are its structural characteristics: the flower petals at the end of the flowering are turned downwards, the floral receptacle is conical and hollow inside and the leaves are engraved

How to preserve chamomile

The flowers must be picked at the beginning of flowering, when the heads are not yet well hatched and white in color.
If the product is destined for distillation to obtain essential oils, it is used fresh or as soon as it is wilted and the whole plant is generally picked (leaves, stem, flowers).
The flowers must be dried quickly in a dry, dark and ventilated place to avoid the formation of mold and the blackening of the plant with consequent loss of its characteristics.
They are kept in glass containers protected from light for a year and no more because then they lose their fragrance.

How to use chamomile in the kitchen

With chamomile flowers infusions are used that are notoriously used for their mild sedative virtues. The plant has no active hypno-inducing ingredients, but antispasmodic properties, such as lemon balm, ie it produces muscle relaxation thanks to the presence in its phytocomplex of flavonoids (eupatuletin, quercimetrin) and coumarins.
Chamomile is used in the kitchen to prepare excellent infusions with a calming effect. With the Matricaria a sweeter and more delicate taste is obtained, while the Anthemis nobilis remains more bitter.
With chamomile you can flavor jams, candies and ice creams as well as liqueurs, such as vermouth and you can prepare some very tasty recipes such as risottos, fish salads, soft cakes for breakfast, sweet creams and biscuits.
Furthermore the fresh flowers are the perfect decoration for many dishes both sweet and savory because they are small and very elegant in their simplicity.

Camomile dressing

2 tablespoons of fresh chamomile flowers
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
half a squeezed lime
1 tablespoon of honey
salt and pepper

Quickly mix all the ingredients, creating an emulsion to dress salads or fish carpaccio.

The recipes with chamomile tried in the editorial staff of La Cucina Italiana

Chamomile and linden for a calming herbal tea – Italian Cuisine

Chamomile and linden for a calming herbal tea


When the nerves are on the skin and the anxiety is always around the corner, it is appropriate to prepare a good soothing herbal tea. To do this, just have the right ingredients at your fingertips and the result is guaranteed

Wake up early, up and down the vehicles, stuck in traffic, the boss hard to manage, children to recover, friends of the children to be delivered. What it takes at the end of the day is really a beautiful one calming herbal tea. Already the preparation ritual itself can help to rediscover that inner peace that is upset every day by the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If more you choose the right ingredients, the result is guaranteed.

Calming herbal tea: which herbs?

Among the medicinal herbs that help to dampen stress and to quell anxieties, there are the passionflower, the melissa, the valerian, the mauve, the verbena, the lavender and the hawthorn. Each of these has more or less relaxing properties. But if the nerves are right on the skin and sleep is a distant mirage, then the best soothing herbal tea is based on chamomile and linden.

Chamomile and linden, here is the winning mix

The first has always been considered the classic remedy against anxiety. Annual herbaceous plant, commonly growing in Italy and throughout Europe, both in the plains and in the mountains. Its flowers, which are harvested in full bloom and are used dried, are famous for them antispasmodic properties, that is able to dampen the spasms and relax the muscles, and for thesedative action on the nervous system. Their assumption infuses a general sense of calm and well-being. The lime tree is a robust and leafy tree that can reach 30 meters in height. Its flowers, which are harvested between May and July, are rich in nectar. In phytotherapy they are widely used for theirs vasodilator effect, hypotensive is sedative and, even in this case, to reconcile sleep.

How to prepare a soothing herbal tea

To prepare a calming herbal tea with lime and camomile, just have it at your fingertips 5 grams of chamomile is 5 grams of linden. After bringing it to a boil, pour hot water on the dried flowers and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. It is not necessary to add sugar, if you want you can sweeten with a spoonful of honey. The ideal is to drink the soothing tea in the evening, just before going to bed. The body will benefit from the double sedative effect of chamomile and linden and this will help the mind to pull the plug from the flow of negative thoughts and to grant a deep and rejuvenating sleep.

Incoming search terms:

Chamomile cake – chamomile cake recipe – Italian Cuisine

»Chamomile cake - Misya chamomile cake recipe


Boil the water in a saucepan, add the chamomile bags, turn off and leave to infuse for 5 minutes.

Add flour, starch, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. Add honey and cinnamon, then add oil and chamomile slowly, stirring gradually with whips.

Pour into the mold lined with parchment paper and cook for about 40 minutes (I recommend, always do the toothpick test) in a preheated oven at 180 ° C.
Remove from the oven and let it cool.

Your chamomile cake is ready: decorated with icing sugar and served.

TAGS: Camomile Cake Recipe | How to prepare Chamomile cake | Chamomile cake recipe

Proudly powered by WordPress

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Click here to read more information about data collection for ads personalisation

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Read more about data collection for ads personalisation our in our Cookies Policy page

Close