Balm Orange Mandarina
Orange Balm ‘Mandarina’ (Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina')
A bright, fruity lemon balm with sweet orange‑mandarin notes, perfect for teas, desserts, and pollinator‑friendly gardens
🌿 Orange Balm ‘Mandarina’ is a wonderfully aromatic lemon balm cultivar prized for its sweet, citrusy scent with clear orange and mandarin notes. The soft green leaves release a burst of fruity aroma when brushed, making it a favourite for teas, desserts, and refreshing summer drinks. Vigorous and easy to grow, it thrives in sunny or lightly shaded spots with moist, well‑drained soil. Like all lemon balms, it forms a bushy mound of textured foliage and produces small white flowers that attract bees throughout summer. ‘Mandarina’ is a delightful choice for gardeners seeking a lemon balm with a unique, sweet‑citrus twist.
Leaves
The leaves have a sweet, citrus‑herbal flavour with notes of orange zest, mandarin, and soft lemon balm.
• Delicious in herbal teas and iced drinks
• Lovely in fruit salads, sorbets, and summer desserts
• Excellent in infused syrups for cocktails and mocktails
• Beautiful in cakes, biscuits, and citrus‑themed baking
• Adds a bright lift to salad dressings and marinades
• Works well with strawberries, peaches, and soft fruits
Leaf flavour: sweet‑citrus, orange‑mandarin, soft lemon balm
Flowers
The small white flowers are edible and lightly sweet.
• Pretty as a garnish
• Lovely in fruit dishes and summer salads
• Highly attractive to bees and hoverflies
Flower flavour: mild, sweet‑herbal
