What is larch?

Tamarack, also known as larch, is the only conifer that loses its needles in the fall in Quebec. Rich in vitamin C, its small, flexible needles are highly prized 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 flavour broths, marinades, or desserts. Traditionally, larch was also used in poultices or steam baths to soothe the skin and clear the airways.

Its natural habitat

It is found in the extreme north of Canada, as it adapts very well to different types of terrain and soils, as long as it is exposed to full sun. Under good conditions, its growth can be very rapid, reaching maturity around twenty years! For comparison, spruce and fir only mature after about sixty years.