Chef José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain
Chefs across the country are harvesting the freshest, most delicious herbs, leafy greens and edible flowers every single day from their Farmshelfs. They use them in all kinds of creations, from breakfast eggs to signature cocktails.
Mercado Little Spain, in New York City’s Hudson Yards, has been growing with two Farmshelf units since they opened in 2019. These days, they’re bursting with bountiful thyme, lavender and lemon balm that make their way into things like salads, drinks and finishing touches. ¡Muy delicioso!
Thyme
Garden thyme
Thyme is a member of the mint family and a relative–let’s say like a close cousin you like to vacation with–of oregano. Thyme has small, dark green leaves that grow in spindly, multi-stalked, low-lying bunches, and is scrumptious in everything from roast pork to a gin and tonic.
Lemon Balm
Common balm, Balm mint
Also a member of the mint family (think how delicious their annual reunions must be!), lemon balm is a low-lying, vining plant that produces multi-stalked curling brown stems of somewhat “fuzzy” kelly green leaves. Its sweet, floral, lemony flavor is super fantastic with chicken or anywhere you’d normally use mint, and it has a calming, anxiety-reducing effect!
Lavender
Lavendula, English lavender, French lavender
So much more than just a pretty face, lavender lessens stress and tension, it imparts fragrance and flavor to sweet and savory dishes, and its potency increases when dried. Lavender makes all the jaws drop when you use it to make sorbet or ice cream.