#fringedrue

Plant of the Day

Saturday 25 January 2020

The shrubby plant Ruta chalepensis (fringed rue) is cultivated in the highlands of Ethiopia. The pungent leaves are used to flavour sour milk and cheese. They are added to a hot beverage called kuti which is brewed from coffee leaves. The plant appears as part of the coffee ceremony and leaves can be added to freshly brewed coffee. Be careful as the sap can cause blistering on the skin if exposed to ultraviolet and it is suggested that it should not be eaten by pregnant women.