Gentian

Gentiana lutea

root

The thick root of a tall perennial of Europe's mountains, one of the bitterest there is, macerated or infused in very small amounts, and in bitter aperitifs.

Origin

Mountains of Europe

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Its root is extremely bitter and is used by drops or as a short maceration. Do not pick it yourself: its leaves look like those of white hellebore, which is toxic.

Did you know?

It can live 50 years, and takes ten years to flower for the first time; in French it was also called poor man's quinine or Alpine banana tree.