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Herbal Wisdom:  Rose Water help, anyone?  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 05 2007 : 11:29:28 AM
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DH and I found a recipe for rosewater (he wanted to try it out in some old cocktails and I wanted it for the bath) and so, I collected and collected rose petals, did what the recipe said, and YUK. It looks like brown muddy yuk.
Most Rose Water's I've seen are either pink tinged, or clear and pure.
Any help? Any hints? Anybody?
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2007 : 12:11:57 PM
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Can you post the directions that you followed here so we know what you did?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2007 : 12:16:43 PM
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Rose Water - How to Make Your Own
Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbs for Natural Beauty, by Rosemary Gladstar.
Rose water is used in cosmetics for its lovely scent, but also because it has light astringent properties. As the gentlest of all astringents, rose water is often used as toner for fair and dry skin.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: You must be careful when purchasing rose water to buy only the 100 percent pure form. Often what is available in pharmacies and even some natural food stores is synthetic rose oil and water with preservatives added. Pure rose water is the distilled water of roses. It is usually made by stream distillation, and it smells heavenly and tastes delicious.
Availability: Besides health food stores and herb stores, you can often find rose water in delicatessens; it is used as a flavoring in fancy Greek pastries, puddings, and cakes.
Rose Water, Method #1
This recipe is the more traditional way to prepare rose water. Though it's a little more involved, its fun to do and the results are outstanding. You can make a quart of excellent-quality rose water in about 40 minutes. However, if you simmer the water too long, you will continue to produce distilled water but the rose essence will become diluted. Your rose water will smell more like plain distilled water, rather than the heavenly scent of roses.
Be sure you have a brick and heat-safe stainless steel or glass quart bowl ready before you begin.
Ingredients
2-3 quarts fresh roses or rose petals
water
ice cubes or crushed ice
1. In the center of a large pot (the speckled blue canning pots are ideal) with an inverted lid (a rounded lid), place a fireplace brick. On top of the brick place the bowl. Put the roses in the pot; add enough flowers to reach the top of the brick. Pour in just enough water to cover the roses. The water should be just above the top of the brick.
2. Place the lid upside down on the pot. Turn on the stove and bring the water to a rolling boil, then lower heat to a slow steady simmer. As soon as the water begins to boil, toss two or three trays of ice cubes (or a bag of ice) on top of the lid.
3. You've now created a home still! As the water boils the steam rises, hits the top of the cold lid, and condenses. As it condenses it flows to the center of the lid and drops into the bowl. Every twenty minutes, quickly lift the lid and take out a tablespoon or two of the rose water. It's time to stop when you have between a pint and a quart of water that smells and tastes strongly like roses.
Found at:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/rose-water-how-to-make-your-own.html
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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cinnamongirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1682 Posts
Carrie
Canada
1682 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2007 : 12:10:46 PM
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Here is another: Keep in cool place away from direct light
2 cups fresh flower petals(roses, lavender,violets, or any fragrent flowers)
1 liter boiling water
2 tablespoons vodka
Fill glass jar with flower petals,cover petals with boiling water, allow to cool slightly. Stir in vodka, cover, allow to cool; strain through muslin, discard petals, seal.
Makes approx. 1 litre
This is the way they did it in past. |
Edited by - cinnamongirl on Jul 06 2007 12:18:44 PM |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2007 : 12:28:10 PM
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My daughter has been making rose water for the past 2 years to make Turkish Delight (She's a Narnian fan). She just pours boiling water over the petals and lets them sit until the water cools. Interesting flavor in Turkish Delight.
I'm wondering, Jonni, did you have different colors of petals? I could imagine that would make the water a yucky color. I have yellow roses and the rose water my daughter makes is a pale yellow.
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
We come from Nature, we go back to Nature; health & happiness in between requires intimacy with Nature. |
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Herbal Wisdom: Rose Water help, anyone? |
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Rose Water help, anyone?
