Herbs and Spices Untitled Document

Rue

Vinruta

Plant Description

Herb: Rue (Ruta) is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs 20-60 cm tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, Micronesia and southwest Asia.

Season:
Grown in cultivated beds; It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October.

Uses in Cooking:

The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance. Used as a flavoring for fruits or claret cups. It was used extensively in Middle Eastern cuisine in olden days, as well as in many ancient Roman recipes (according to Apicius), but because it is very bitter, it is usually not suitable for most modern tastes. However, it is still used in certain parts of the world, particularly in northern Africa.

Possible Substitutes:

How it comes:

Spice Mixes

Fresh leaves from the garden. It is not grown in too many gardens today.

Other Uses:

The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects, it is most useful when the plant is grown near roses and raspberries. The dried herb can also be put in the linen cupboard to repel moths. The growing plant is also said to repel cats. A red dye is obtained from the plant. An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb.