Katrina Rosales
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a fragrant flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is also cultivated and can grow up to 5 metres tall. The myrtle plant has a long history of symbolic and ritual use in various cultures, including Ancient Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Egyptian societies. The myrtle's scent is described as herbal and camphoraceous, similar to eucalyptus, with sweet and fresh nuances. The plant's essential oil is extracted from its leaves, twigs, and flowers through steam distillation, and it is this oil that imparts the distinctive fragrance of crushed myrtle berries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Myrtus communis |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Common Name | Bride's Myrtle, Roman Myrtle, Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Roman Myrtle, True Myrtle, True Roman Myrtle, Clove Myrtle, Span |
| Odor Profile | Herbal camphoraceous fragrance with sweet and fresh aromatic nuances |
| Height | Up to 4.5 meters or 15 feet |
| Leaf Colour | Deep green |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Fruit Colour | Dark |
| Fruit Size | Small |
| Leaf Size | 3-5 cm long |
| Leaf Shape | Lanceolate |
| Leaf Texture | Smooth on top, hairy below |
| Uses | Used in perfumes, medicines, and food |
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What You'll Learn
Myrtle berries are used to make liqueur
To make Mirto, the berries are cleaned and soaked in high-proof alcohol, typically vodka, for several weeks or up to a month. The resulting liqueur is bitter, so it is common to add honey or sugar syrup to taste. The colour changes to dark brown or purple, and it is served cold. Some people also add syrup or honey to the berries and serve them alongside the liqueur.
There are two main varieties of Mirto: Mirto Rosso, made with the berries of the black variety, and Mirto Bianco, made with the berries of the white variety or, less commonly, from young leaves. The white variety is considered rarer, and the drink is said to have a more delicate flavour. In addition to the basic ingredients of myrtle berries and alcohol, some recipes for Mirto also call for additional flavourings such as rosemary and gentian root.
In addition to its use in liqueurs, the myrtle plant has a range of culinary and medicinal applications. The berries can be eaten raw or used as a spice, and the leaves can be crushed and added to wine or decoctions for various health benefits. Myrtle is also used in the production of essential oils, which are valued for their fresh, herbal, and camphoraceous fragrance.
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Myrtle is the scent of the Garden of Eden
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a fragrant plant that is said to have adorned the Garden of Eden, the biblical paradise described in Genesis. According to the Book of Genesis, God created the first man, Adam, and placed him in the Garden of Eden, where he was tasked with tending to the garden and given dominion over the plants and animals.
The myrtle plant is described as having scented, dark green leaves, delicate white flowers, and dark berries. The myrtle's fragrance is said to be herbal and camphoraceous, similar to eucalyptus, with sweet and fresh aromatic nuances. The myrtle's essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of its flowers, leaves, and twigs, and has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
In the Bible, myrtle is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, where it is described as growing on the hills around Jerusalem. The plant is also associated with the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology and is considered sacred in Jewish and Roman rituals. In Jewish liturgy, myrtle is one of the four sacred plants of Sukkot, and in Roman culture, it was used in wedding rituals and the Veneralia festival.
The myrtle is also said to have been taken by Adam when he was expelled from the Garden of Eden, serving as a reminder of the blissful times he had experienced there. This story further cements the association of myrtle with the Garden of Eden and highlights its significance as a symbol of divine generosity and pleasure.
Thus, the myrtle, with its fragrant scent and symbolic meaning, plays an important role in the story of the Garden of Eden and continues to hold cultural and religious significance in various traditions.
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Myrtle is sacred to Aphrodite
In Greek mythology, the myrtle tree is sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and sex. According to myth, Aphrodite turned a priestess named Myrina into a myrtle tree, giving it a fragrant smell as her favourite and sacred plant. Myrtle trees were planted in Aphrodite's temple gardens and shrines, and she is often depicted wearing a myrtle crown, sprig, or wreath. The myrtle is also associated with the story of Adonis, and it is considered a symbol of divine generosity.
The myrtle tree is native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. The leaves are small, deep green, and strongly scented when crushed, producing a clear, fresh fragrance that is slightly camphoraceous, similar to eucalyptus. The star-like flowers are usually white, and the fruits are small and dark, ranging from bluish-black to red or yellow.
In ancient times, the myrtle tree held cultural and symbolic significance. It was an indispensable feature of Roman gardens and was introduced wherever Roman elites settled. In Jewish liturgy, myrtle is one of the four sacred plants of Sukkot, representing the different personalities within the community. The plant also played a role in wedding rituals, with myrtle branches given to the bridegroom and included in wedding bouquets.
The myrtle tree has a variety of medicinal uses. The ancient Egyptians crushed myrtle leaves and added them to wine to treat fever and infection. The ripe fruits, or berries, were used as food integrators due to their high vitamin content, and the decoction was used to bathe newborns with reddened skin. The plant is also taken internally to treat various conditions, including urinary infections, digestive problems, bronchial congestion, and sinusitis.
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Myrtle is used in cooking
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. It is a small tree or bush that originated in the Mediterranean region and is widely cultivated in Europe. The plant has small deep-green leaves, white flowers, and small dark fruits. All parts of the plant are scented, and its essential oil has a clear, fresh, herbal, and camphoraceous fragrance with sweet and aromatic nuances.
On the Italian island of Sardinia, myrtle leaves are used like bay leaves to infuse marinades and soups with a spicy, citrusy, and bitter flavour. The leaves are then discarded before serving the dish. A similar practice is seen in Afghanistan and Persia (Iran), where myrtle leaves are set on fire for fumigation, and the smoke is believed to ward off the evil eye.
In Calabria, a myrtle branch is threaded through dried figs before baking, imparting a pleasant taste from the herb's essential oils. In addition to savoury dishes, myrtle is used in baking, such as in gluten-free lemon myrtle and macadamia muffins and mango and lemon myrtle cheesecake. Lemon myrtle, native to Australia, is often used to add a subtle citrus taste or enhance the sweetness in both sweet and savoury dishes. It is also used to flavour cooking oils, salad dressings, and other oil-based ingredients.
Overall, myrtle is a versatile ingredient that adds a unique flavour and aroma to a variety of dishes, both savoury and sweet, across different cuisines.
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Myrtle is used in perfumery
Myrtle, or Myrtus communis, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. It is a small tree or bush that originated in the Mediterranean region, but can now be found in Macaronesia, western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. The myrtle plant is an evergreen shrub that can grow to a height of 4.5 metres, but is smaller when regularly pruned. It has small, deep green leaves, star-like white flowers, and small dark bluish-black fruits or berries. All parts of the plant are scented, and the essential oil extracted from the leaves, flowers, and twigs is of particular interest in perfumery.
The essential oil of myrtle has a clear, fresh, herbal, and camphoraceous fragrance with sweet and aromatic nuances. It is produced through steam distillation of the plant's leaves, flowers, and twigs. In perfumery, myrtle essential oil is used as a top note that dissipates quickly, adding an aromatic herbal element to the early development of a scent. The oil's fresh and clean aroma, which is slightly reminiscent of crushed bay leaves and tarragon, makes it well-suited for fragrances that aim to evoke the vegetation of the Pacific Northwest or the Mediterranean coast.
In addition to its use in perfumery, myrtle has a variety of cultural and symbolic significance. In ancient Rome, myrtle was associated with Venus and was used in wedding rituals. It was also considered sacred in Jewish, Afghan, Persian, and Egyptian traditions, where it was believed to have medicinal and therapeutic properties. In Jewish liturgy, for example, myrtle is one of the four sacred plants of Sukkot, representing the different personalities within the community.
Furthermore, myrtle has been used in culinary applications. The berries, whole or ground, can be used as a pepper substitute, adding flavour to dishes such as Italian Mortadella sausage and American Bologna sausage. The leaves can also be used for seasoning, and the plant is commonly cultivated in Europe for its aromatic qualities.
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Frequently asked questions
The fragrance of crushed myrtle berries is described as a herbal camphoraceous scent with sweet and fresh aromatic nuances. The essential oil of myrtle has a clear, fresh fragrance that is slightly camphoraceous, similar to eucalyptus.
Myrtle berries are used in a variety of ways. They are used in the production of an aromatic liqueur called Mirto in Sardinia and Corsica. The berries are also used as a food ingredient due to their high vitamin content and can be eaten fresh, preserved, or made into wine. Additionally, the berries can be ground and used as a pepper substitute or to add a unique flavour to meat dishes.
Myrtle is a symbolic plant with various cultural and religious associations. In the Mediterranean, it symbolises love and immortality. In Jewish liturgy, it is one of the four sacred plants of Sukkot, representing the different personalities within the community. It is also mentioned in the Bible, as Adam was allowed to take myrtle, the "chief of scented flowers", with him when expelled from Paradise.
Myrtle berries have been used for their medicinal properties in various traditions. They are rich in vitamins and have been used to treat urinary infections, digestive issues, bronchial congestion, and sinusitis. The berries are also believed to have antimicrobial properties due to their essential oils.
Yes, there are several species of myrtle recognised today, including Common myrtle (Myrtus communis), native to the Mediterranean region; Saharan myrtle (Myrtus nivellei), native to North Africa; and Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), found in North America. Additionally, Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is an Australian tree with a powerful lemon scent.
