Mélèze | Aiguille entière séchée (Larix laricina)

What is Larch?

The Larix laricina, also known as tamarack, is the only conifer in Quebec that sheds its needles in the fall. Rich in vitamin C, its small, soft needles are very popular in herbal teas. In the past, its young shoots were consumed as emergency food in the forest.

How to use Larch?

Add it to your infusions for a foresty and invigorating touch. It pairs well with other Nordic plants like balsam fir or wild mint. In cooking, its needles can be used to flavor broths, marinades, or desserts. Traditionally, larch was also used in poultices or steam baths to soothe the skin and clear airways.

Its natural habitat

It can be found as far north as Canada, as it adapts very well to different types of terrain and soil, provided it is exposed to full sun. In good conditions, its growth can be very rapid, reaching maturity around twenty years old! By comparison, spruce and fir are only mature after about sixty years.