Foraging for Myrtle.

 

On a lovely sunny day in November we took the opportunity to take a bike ride for some much needed exercise and to forage for myrtle.

We set off from Nidri, past Vliho, around the bay and over the mountain to Desimi. On our route, armed with our carrier bags we stopped to admire the view and collect the myrtle berries.

Myrtle - Myrtus Communis

Spice/Herb Description - Greek Myrtle berries are purple /black berries that are used whole or course ground. Myrtle berries have a dry taste in the mouth, with juniper and rosemary like flavours. Its leaf is used whole or chopped. The leaves have a spicy, bitter taste with a refreshing, fragrant and orange like aroma.

Known as common myrtle it is an evergreen shrub native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region in addition to other countries.

Leaves are dried, almost like bay leaves for culinary uses in stews or meat dishes. Essential oils are extracted for a wide variety of medicinal uses. Leaves can also be crushed and boiled infused in black tea. The fruit is sometimes used to make an aromatic liqueur, called Mirto, commonly drunk in  Sardinia, Corsica and some of the Greek islands. The fruit can be eaten raw but due to its slight astringent taste it is often used as an addition to other fruits in jams or mixed with apple as a pie filling or in desserts. When dried the fruit can be used as a spice similar to pepper.

The most current use of myrtle is the essential oil which can be applied during aromatherapy and has impressive effects on your health. The essential oil smells similar to eucalyptus and is acquired through steam distillation of the leaves. There are several products that contain the essential oil such as soaps and shampoos. 

 Harvest time is during November when the berries are dark purple.

Myrtle is grown often as just an ornamental shrub due to its pretty, fragrant, flower, which blossoms in abundance in the spring. Greek myrtle revered throughout the mediterranean region as a symbol of peace and love. It was thought that the plant was sacred to the goddess of love Aphrodite. As a result it is often used in wedding bouquets.

After foraging we enjoyed a relaxing rest by the waters edge before cycling home. 

https://www.sandmountainherbs.com/myrtle_greek.html