Geraniums and their fragrant uses

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 in Blog

Is there one plant that reminds you of your childhood? It’s hard to whittle it down to just a single special something for me, but certainly geraniums are high on the horticultural list.

Now when I say geraniums, I of course mean the pelargonium’s that sitcentre in hanging baskets all summer long. My paternal grandmother was a great geranium grower – white, red, pink and salmon specimens stood to attention on the windowsills of her house that overlooked the park. In fact, when I think of it she taught me how to take plant cuttings – a cleanly cut stem and some rooting powder and we were soon in business (not literally of course). The ability to take cuttings is always a useful skill to have where germaniums are concerned – a cutting is more likely to overwinter than a large plant. 

Years went by, I developed a silly snobbery about what I considered a bedding plant. Yet, as my thoughts changed I began to embrace all plants (and some weeds) that have culinary uses. Pelargonium’s come in all shapes and colours, and most excitedly for me, fragrances. I’m not talking flower fragrances - I’m talking leaves oozing with seductive scent. You may be familiar with the wonderful scent of geranium, but there is a whole gamut of fragrances – rose, lemon, orange, grapefruit, cola, cinnamon, apple, lime, eau-de-cologne, peach, lavender, nutmeg – shall I go on?

Traditionally geraniums have been used to flavour cakes by popping a few leaves beneath the baking parchment and the tin. As always, I’ve been experimenting with some culinary success. Make a quick syrup, soak some chopped leaves in it and after a few hours - hey presto – a sweet scented naughty topping to pour over ice cream or flavour a spirit like gin. The Lemon Fizz variety makes a refreshing tea – a couple of leaves and boiling water – Bob’s your lemony uncle (see photo).

As the taller stems may not survive my nippy windowsill, I’ve gathered the cut stems, bundled them together and hung them up to dry. That should supply a few mugfuls over the winter months. Now if you are wondering just where you can find these varieties a quick Google search gives you a cascade of options. But, if the idea of tea, syrup or gin isn’t floating your boat, but something geranium scented is, why not try one of our many products that use geranium as a key ingredient.

Karen

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