Arbaroriza (Pelargonium graveolens), called kiouli in Cyprus,  is one of my favourite plants and it is so common in Greece  and Cyprus that you will surely find one in most gardens or balconies,  planted in pots or directly in the garden. Scented geraniums belong to the Geraniaceae family but they should not be confused with […]

Ingredients: 15 bergamot oranges 2 kilos of sugar Juice of 2 lemons 3 cups of water 2-3 leaves of sweet- Arbaroriza – Kiouli – Scented pelargonium (optional) Juice of 1/2 a lemon for the finish Spoon Sweets Method: Wash the bergamot well, and dry with a towel. Grate the peel with a fine grater without reaching […]

Ingredients: 1 kilo of ripped quince 1 kilo plus 2 cups of sugar Juice of 1 lemon 3-4 leaves of sweet-scented pelargonium (Arbaroriza) Juice if 1/2 a lemon Method: Wash and peel the quinces. Cut in half, remove the core with the pits and grade with the course side of the grader. Place in a […]

 Glyko Stafyli me Amygthala In Greek: γλυκό σταφύλι με αμύγδαλα, pronounced ghlee-KOH stah-FEE-lee meh ah-MEEGH-thah-lah This spoon sweet is my family’s favorite. The toasted almonds add a wonderful flavor to the mix. We make it during the September grape harvest, and store it in jars to serve throughout the year. To increase the recipe, multiply […]

In Greek: πετιμέζι, pronounced peh-tee-MEH-zee This is a specialty on the Greek island of Crete and one of the oldest (most ancient) recipes I know. Try this naturally sweet (no sugar added) syrup on yogurt, ice cream, in tea, on pancakes, in baking, and as a topping for snow!. A teaspoon also work wonders for […]

Ingredients: 2 1/2 kilos of quince Sugar Juice of 1 lemon 3-4 leaves of sweet-scented pelargonium Method: Wash well under plenty of running water. Peel, cut in half or quarters and remove the center core with the pits. Place the cut quinces in a pot and pour enough water to cover them. Bring to boil […]

Ingredients: 1 watermelon about 6 kilos 2 kilos of sugar 2 tbsp of lemon juice 1/2 a mug of lemon juice A few leaves of sweet-scented pelargonium Method: Cut the watermelon in slices. Remove the red interior and the green exterior part leaving just the white part of the peel. Grade the watermelon slices with […]

Ingredients: 1 kilo of ripped quince Sugar 1/2 a cup of lemon juice 2-3 leaves of sweet-scented Pelargonium (Arbaroriza) Method: Wash, peel, cut in half and remove the center core with the pits. Place in a pot, cover with water and add the lemon juice. Cook over high heat and cook until they are soft. […]

Shinos – Σχίνος (Pistacia lentiscus) Arbaroriza – Kiouli – Scented pelargonium Marjoram Makes an excellent tea and is widely used as seasoning in cooking. Resembles oregano and combines perfectly with meat, fish and pasta dishes. It aids digestion, helps to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, soothes the throat and is diuretic. Oregano The most popular […]

Ingredients: 10 cups of mousto (Grape Juice) 10 tbsp of whole wheat flour 4-5 leaves of kiouli (arbaroriza) (Pelargonium) 1 branch of basil 1/5 tsp of mastic crushed powder 2 tbsp of rose water Roughly crushed almonds or walnuts Method: Wash the basil and kiouli (Pelargonium) leaves well under running water. In three cups of […]