What is larch?

Larix laricina, also known as tamarack, is the only conifer in Quebec that loses its needles in the fall. Rich in vitamin C, its small, flexible needles are highly valued 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 tonic touch. It pairs well with other Nordic plants such as 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 respiratory passages.

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. Under good conditions, its growth can be very rapid, reaching maturity around twenty years old! By comparison, spruce and fir mature only after about sixty years.