Lemonnnnnnnnnnn
I found lemon balm! In China!
This is remarkable. If you're not familiar with Chinese cuisine, it almost universally (North, South, East and West) prefers not to use any kind of herbs (in the culinary sense of the word, not the botanical). Coriander/cilantro is the only herb I've ever seen used, although some spices and other seasonings are used regularly (chilli, salt, and MSG being the most common).
So how did lemon balm get here? You'll never guess what function the deliciously lemony-smelling lemon balm plant serves in modern Chinese society. Go on. Guess. I'll wait. I'm on the internet, I'll wait until the connection resets.
It's used to "detoxify" paint fumes (it most likely just covers up the smell; I have my doubts that it really has any detoxifying effects) in newly refurbished apartments. Its Chinese name is, in fact, "poison-inhaling grass" (xiducao, 吸毒草).
So I bought a plant and I'm going to use it TO MAKE TOAST! For Science!
This is remarkable. If you're not familiar with Chinese cuisine, it almost universally (North, South, East and West) prefers not to use any kind of herbs (in the culinary sense of the word, not the botanical). Coriander/cilantro is the only herb I've ever seen used, although some spices and other seasonings are used regularly (chilli, salt, and MSG being the most common).
So how did lemon balm get here? You'll never guess what function the deliciously lemony-smelling lemon balm plant serves in modern Chinese society. Go on. Guess. I'll wait. I'm on the internet, I'll wait until the connection resets.
It's used to "detoxify" paint fumes (it most likely just covers up the smell; I have my doubts that it really has any detoxifying effects) in newly refurbished apartments. Its Chinese name is, in fact, "poison-inhaling grass" (xiducao, 吸毒草).
So I bought a plant and I'm going to use it TO MAKE TOAST! For Science!