Hyssop, also called holy herb, is a small shrub in the mint family that produces flower stalks with lavender-colored blossoms. It is a hardy, drought-resistant plant that easily tolerates the heat and dry terrain that is characteristic of the Middle East, where hyssop originates. The herb is cultivated as a garden ornamental and is particularly favored by beekeepers because it results in an aromatic honey. Hyssop leaf lends a mildly sweet, mint-like flavor to teas, cordials, wines and other beverages. Minty flavored. Goes well with lemony herbs and dried fruit peels.

a bit of botany

a little botanical information about hyssop

description
Hyssopus officinalis is an herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family. Hyssop is a brightly colored shrub or subshrub that ranges from 30 to 60 cm in height. The stem is woody at the base, from which grow a number of straight branches. Hyssop leaves are lanceolate and dark green in color; they range from 2 to 2.5 cm in length. The plant produces fragrant bunches of pink, blue, or occasionally white flowers in the summer. The flowers give rise to small oblong achenes.

common names & nomenclature
Hyssop is Greek in origin. The Hyssopos of Dioscorides was named from the holy herb azob, because it was used for cleaning sacred places.

Also known as:
thymus hyssopus, hyssop, herb hyssop