Hi Folks.

I wonder if you could help. I know nothing about herbs however we have found what we think is a herb in our garden. Well the cat found it as she was playing in it trying to catch a frog. Later that day we could smell a coffee smell on the cat. We eventually tracked it down to this plant/herb. It has a strong coffee smell. It is a light silvery green colour and is very similiar in shape to Rosemary.

Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

Many thanks for your help.

Lee

Hi Lee :)

Some people think that the curry plant Helichrysum italicum smells like coffee, myself it smells like curry powder gone off, although the korma variety smells better. The leaves do look a little like rosemary but more like lavender to me. Curry plant turns up in gardens as a perennial. See this link http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Plants/Ornamental-Groups/Perennials/Asterales/Asteraceae-Compositae/Helichrysum/Helichrysum-italicum/Helichrysum-italicum/index.html to see if it's the same plant. If it isn't the plant you're trying to identify send me a photo if possible via my website www.herbal-haven.co.uk and I'll see if I can identify it for you :)

Debs

Debs,

You are brilliant you got it right first time. I looked at the photo and it is definately that plant Helichrysum italicum. What can be done with this herb. Is just called Curry plant because of the smell or can it be used?

Lee

Hi Lee

I've just bought a new curry plant for my garden after the old one gave up the ghost this winter after 5/6 years. It got very woody and didn't like growing under our flowering cherry tree. I've planted it in total sunlight this time and we'll see what happens.

My understanding is that curry plant is a culinary herb. I use it as part of a general "herbal fix" of marjoram, rosemary, thyme and lemon balm that I throw into most stir fries/ concoctions I make during the summer. I'm one of those cooks who never follow recipes, never plan meals, but manage to exist on seeing what's in the larder/freezer at the time I come to prepare a meal.

It's supposed to be good with potatoes.

Experiment and let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Sarah