Decorations for these treats where limited and the cost of sugar, for many, was too expensive so creative cooks went to the garden and found decorative substitutes.
These substitutes started off as flowers and then progressed to leaves. The decorations moved from just being pretty to something that added to the taste of the food or drink.
Scented geranium leaves started showing up on cake plates as decorations and progressed to the top of the cake as a substitute for icing. Many complex designs were created using different types of scented geranium leaves.
This culinary movement continued into the cakes where the leaves where placed on the bottom of the cake pan and the batter poured on top. The leaves now not only created a design on top but also flavored the dessert. These leaves then found their way into ice cubes in the icehouse and into sugars. Both of these situations created an aroma and a taste that was enjoyed during the meal.
Today, the flowers and leaves of the scented geranium can be found in potpourris, sachets, and wreaths. They can also be found in spas as part of an aromatherapy bath and even in the personal bathrooms of many celebrities. But before you consider growing scented geraniums consider the following.
Scented geraniums are easy to grow indoors and out. The secret is making sure the plant receives enough light and only water when the soil is dry. If the plant is planted outside, it is easy to dig up and move indoors before the temperature dips below 45F degrees.
When planning to plant a scented geranium consider the height of the plant. Scented geraniums can grow between 18 inches and 3 feet in height. If the size is a challenge when it comes to moving the plant indoors, simply take cuttings. The scented geranium is one of those plants that is easy to take cuttings from and only requires stem cutting 6 inches long.
After the cuttings are taken, either root in water or in soil but regardless of the technique remember to remove the lower leaves. Once the cuttings root, place in an all-purpose soil mixture and place in a location that receives at least 4 hours of sunlight.
When selecting a scent geranium, test the aroma first. This is done by rubbing the leaf between the fingers and then smelling the plant. I promise, though, that once you smell your first scented geranium one will not be enough.
So until we blog again, herbs abound here and far and are not limited to those found in a jar. Try a scented geranium in your herbal bed and scent your world around your head. Feed your hunger with sweet treats that please your palette and the breeze. End your day with a cleansing bath, scented with aromas from our Victorian past.
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