Herbs and Spices Untitled Document

Geraniums / Pelargonia

Pelargonia

Plant Description

Perennial, leaves used as an aromatic herb:
Geranium is a genus of 422 species of flowering annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as the cranesbills.

Pelargonium is a genus of flowering plants which includes about 200 species of perennial, succulent, and shrub plants, commonly known as Geraniums. Confusingly, Geranium is the correct botanical name of the separate genus which contains the related Cranesbills. Both genera are in the Family Geraniaceae.

To get an apple flavor use: Pleargonium odoratissimum, for Mint Pleargonium tomentosum, and Rose: Pleargonium graveolen.

Season:

Uses in Cooking:

Leaves of different flavored geraniums are used in baking cakes and making of compotes and candies. Apple, mint and rose are some of the common varieties used.

Different varieties have different flavors: Apple: Pleargonium odoratissimum, Mint P. tomentosum, Rose: P. graveolen. and a specialized book could be helpful with this.

Possible Substitutes:

How it comes:

Spice Mixes

Other Uses:

Pelargoniums are believed to deter mosquitoes. (Pelargonium graveolens) This specific species has great importance in the perfume industry. It is cultivated on a large scale and its foliage is distilled for its scent. P. graveolens cultivars have a wide variety of smells, including rose, citrus, mint, coconut and nutmeg, as well as various fruits. However, the most commercially important varieties are those that have rose scents.