Natural products Bruno Bauer

The refined flowers of the real lavender from Provence do not like moisture or even rain, wind and cold at all. While the common lavender in local gardens and on balconies is exposed to the adversities of the weather, Bruno Bauer's sensitive product is snuffed out by even the slightest change in the weather and has to stay at home near Aschaffenburg with the market supplier. "I take a break in winter and am at the weekly market from Easter to October, just like changing a tire," says Bruno Bauer, who used to own an antiques store in Schweinfurt.

The market vendor, who always wears a polo shirt, has had his stall in Offenbach for 15 years. "Before that, I did my rounds in Frankfurt's Nordwestzentrum, at markets in Hanau and in Aschaffenburg. But here I have a small but nice space," summarizes the specialist for natural products. His bestseller alongside patchouli leaves and rose petals - dried and as oil: the finest lavender flowers, imported directly from Provence. A jack-of-all-trades in the kitchen, bedroom and other rooms: As an aromatic ingredient in sugar, bread and pastries, infusion in tea, scented pillow filling, sachets in the closet, bath additive and potpourri for a purer room fragrance.

The taste of lavender is similar to rosemary: very fragrant, spicy to bitter and traditionally found in French bakeries as an ingredient in jams and pastries. "Lavender has not yet been fully researched," says Bauer, who has each of his batches tested again for oil content. Because "the more oil, the better. The real lavender grows mainly in the mountains of Provence at an altitude of 600 to 1,500 meters. It is the variety with the most valuable lavender oil and the healing and effective power that has been known for centuries," he explains.

Bauer is self-taught and constantly expands his knowledge on rainy days. His customers also tell him a thing or two: "A small bowl of lavender oil on the dining table on the terrace or balcony stops wasps coming," one regular customer told him. Most people stock up on the purple lavender sachets as a moth deterrent and laundry scent or simply love the scent because it reminds them of their last vacation in France.

"I'm also a big fan of Provence, but I've never been there. When others go there on vacation, it's my high season. But my customers tell me a lot about their vacations in Provence. I travel there a little in my mind," says the market vendor in an even quieter voice. He doesn't even have to be loud at his stall: "If someone walks past and smells the scent, they usually stop at my stall. I don't have to advertise or act like a market barker."

Recipe idea: Good mood lavender drink

• Mix 2 teaspoons of lavender flowers with
• 150 ml boiling water

Prepared as a tea in a tea infuser or tea filter, the purple mood miracle is said to have a relaxing effect. If you drink a cup just before going to bed, the tea is said to help you sleep peacefully. Leave to infuse for around eight to ten minutes and enjoy warm.

Lavender sugar

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp edible lavender flowers, dried
• 250 g granulated sugar
• Screw-top jar (250 ml)

Preparation:

Rinse the screw-top jar with boiling water and dry well. Pour the dried lavender flowers into the jar in layers with the sugar. Close the jar and leave the contents to infuse for at least five days in a dark, dry place.