Scented geraniums - which are wrongly called that because they are actually scented geraniums - have been deliberately bred in South Africa and parts of Namibia for at least 200 years. The plants are also very popular in Germany not only because of their beautiful flowers, but also because of their versatility.

Scented geraniums are not only edible, they are also delicious and healthy

Scented geraniums with an intense aroma

The intense scent of the scented geraniums does not emanate from the flowers, but from the leaves. These contain numerous glands that are filled with essential oils and are naturally used by the plant to ward off insects, pests and herbivores. The range of scent variations is extremely large: in addition to lemony, mint or rose-like aromas, there are also scented geraniums with rather tart or spicy aromas of pine resin, nutmeg, ginger, apple, orange or peach.

Versatile scented geraniums in the kitchen

The leaves of the scented geraniums can be used in many different ways. You can dry them and use them for potpourris or scented sachets, but you can also use them fresh to garnish and flavor sweet and savory dishes. Not only the leaves but also the flowers are edible.

Use lemon scented geranium

Scented geraniums with a lemony scent, such as Pelargonium crispum or Pelargonium odoratissimum, are traditionally used primarily to flavor teas, but also for sorbets (very tasty with raspberries, for example) or in fruit salads. The finely chopped leaves also taste good as a substitute for salad herbs.

Rose scented geranium in the kitchen

Pelargonium capitatum and Pelargonium graveolens smell intensely of roses and are mainly used in Great Britain to refine cakes, tarts, desserts (such as various crèmes) and jams. For example, they taste particularly good in combination with various berries (e.g. currants, raspberries).

Use mint scented geranium

Pelargonium tomentosum is a scented geranium with an intense mint aroma and can be used anywhere you would use mint leaves: The finely chopped leaves flavor teas and lemonades, but are also ideal for Arabic (or Arabic-inspired) cuisine.

What you should pay attention to when using it

If you want to use scented geraniums in the kitchen, then you should only use plants that you have kept yourself. Specimens bought in stores (and not explicitly approved for consumption) are often pre-treated with pesticides and can therefore not be eaten with a clear conscience.

tips

In particular, lemon-scented geraniums are often planted to ward off summer wasp plagues.

Category:

Vegetable garden