KRYMCHANKA

Krymchanka is a variety of Melissa officinalis L. created by selecting seed offspring from the IE LR-2 population. The plants are characterized by green leaf coloration and a light-yellow corolla at the beginning of flowering, making them easily recognizable in the field.

The average plant height is 37.5 cm, bush diameter is 57.9 cm, and the number of stems is about 21.7 pieces. The vegetative period from regrowth to the start of flowering lasts an average of 91–92 days (in the range of 86–103 days depending on weather conditions). When grown on fertile soil, the yield of green mass reaches 93 c/ha, and the mass fraction of essential oil is 0.037 % on raw mass (0.129 % on completely dry mass), allowing for the collection of about 3.6 kg/ha of essential oil.

The essential oil of the Krymchanka variety contains mainly citral (E-geranial and Z-neral isomers) up to 65%, caryophyllene up to 17%, and germacrene D up to 17%. Due to this composition, it is valued for the production of aromatic products as well as for preparing teas and folk remedies. The variety is propagated vegetatively, which ensures the stability of plant quality and characteristics.

Krymchanka is widely used in brewing and other food industries thanks to its unique aroma and high essential oil content. The producer is FSBSI "Crimean Institute of Agricultural Research", which is also responsible for the registration and patenting of this variety.