From the Australian Native Foods website

Plant Profiles

Lemon Myrtle

Common Names & Species:

Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Ironwood (Backhousia citriodora)p

Family:

Myrtaceae

Native To:

Sub-tropical and tropical rainforest areas of Qld. Natural rainfall greater than 800mm.

Habit:

Tree to 15 metres In its natural environment.

Part Used:

Leaf, flowers.

Flavour:

Strong lemon.

Food Use:

For citrus-type flavour in sweet and savoury products. The leaves contain between 0.33 - 0.86 % essential oil consisting almost entirely of citral.

Current Retail Product Categories:

Tea blends and beverages, dairy, biscuits, breads, confectionery, pasta, syrups, liqueurs, flavoured oils, packaged fish/salmon. Dipping Sauces, Simmer Sauces. For use in sweet and savoury dishes.

Non-food products include deodorants, cosmetics, air fresheners, washing powders, disinfectants, soaps and facial creams.

Food Quality & Safety Issues:

Currently there is no industry-wide product description or quality standards developed or published for this crop, though individual market channel groups are likely to be working to in-house standards

Crop collection, production and handling systems will eventually require the implementation of HACCP-based food safety systems.

Wild Harvest/Cultivated Supplies:

Most production comes from cultivation.

Wild Harvest Locations:

Insignificant source.

Cultivation Locations:

Northern NSW, southern Qld & the Whitsunday area, Adelaide Hills, SA.

Approx Wholesale ('Farm Gate') Prices:

Whole fresh leaf $36/kg .
Dried and ground leaf $55/kg.
Whole dried leaf: $50/kg.

Current Volumes Traded:

In the order of 10-15 tonnes of dried leaf per annum (2001).

This Australian Native Foods Web site is jointly supported by RIRDC and CSIRO.

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