id: 108
name: Lemon
flavor_bible_name_variants: lemon balm,lemon herbs,lemon herbs balm thyme verbena,lemongrass
flavor_bible_pairings_ids: apricots,asparagus,berries,carrots,chicken,chives,dill,fennel bulb,fish,fruit,ginger,melon,mint,nectarines,parsley flatleaf,peaches,peas,salads,teas
status: draft
source: foodb,flavor_bible
food_db_name: Lemon balm
flavor_db_name_variants: lemon balm
name_scientific: Melissa officinalis
description: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), not to be confused with bee balm (which is genus Monarda), is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It grows to 70–150 cm tall. The leaves have a gentle lemon scent, related to mint. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. These attract bees, hence the genus name Melissa (Greek for 'honey bee'). Its flavour comes from citronellal (24%), geranial (16%), linalyl acetate (12%) and caryophyllene (12%).
itis_id: 32565
wikipedia_id: Melissa officinalis
picture_file_name: 108.jpg
picture_content_type: image/jpeg
picture_file_size: 30057
picture_updated_at: 2012-04-20T09:33:54.000Z
legacy_id: 115
food_group: Herbs and Spices
food_subgroup: Herbs
food_type: Type 1
created_at: 2011-02-09T00:37:20.000Z
updated_at: 2019-05-14T18:04:16.000Z
creator_id: null
updater_id: null
export_to_afcdb: false
category: specific
ncbi_taxonomy_id: 39338
export_to_foodb: true
public_id: FOOD00108