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by Mark Whitelaw
More than just a pretty flower to adorn the dining elbow room tabular array , rosiness have been uphold in various forms since the time of the Egyptian Pharaoh . If properly prepare , hints of the rose ’s delicate redolence can continue for M of twelvemonth .
Today , the artistic production of carry on the smasher , semblance and fragrance of rose can take any number of creative contour – from dry out rose heyday which are then used in wreath or unusual table decorations to the creation of a rose potpourri .
Of all of these redolent confections , the easiest way to preserve a rose wine ’s redolence is through the world of potpourris . broadly speaking , potpourris fall into two categories : dry out and Moist . dry out potpourri are the easy to make and require all ironic ingredients . Their fragrance is less intense , however , and you may find yourself repeating the mental process after several month . Moist potpourris , on the other hand , can sustain their fragrance for many years with only slight rejuvenation . These potpourris are those whose recipes have been hand down from contemporaries to multiplication .
Before you begin , a few ecumenical hints about have rose mixture from Dr. William Welch ’s book , Antique Roses for the South[Taylor Publishing : Dallas , Texas ; 1990 . ( US)$29.95 , hardcover ]
What follows then is a recipe for a moist mixture passed along from one of my favorite mass – my own nanna .
Grandma ’s Rose miscellanea
First , " salt cure " your rose petals by collecting about 4 cups of various fragrant roses ( reds , pinks and Elwyn Brooks White prefer ) . distribute them atop a paper and let them dry out two or three day . ( The flower petal will feel like soft leather when they ’re ready . ) Layer the partly dried petals with 1/2 tsp . non - iodinated , coarse ground sea table salt in a straight - sided , dishware bowl . Place an inverted crustal plate on top of the petal and burden it down . ( I used an onetime rock . ) Be sure to cover all the flower petal with the weighted plate . Cover the container with hydrofoil and seal the edges . agitate the petals day by day with a wooden spoon . After 14 days the petal have " cured , " reduce in volume to about 1 1/2 cups , and changed coloring ( usually auburn , ointment , abstruse rose and violet ) .
In a disjoined bowl combine the following:1 1/2 cupful bring around rise petals1 Tbsp . crushed whole clove1 Tbsp . cedarwood shavings3 crushed bay leaves1 crush cinnamon stick1 tsp . fresh shaved nutmeg10 cliff of rose oil1 tsp . fresh lemon zest or lemon tree extract
( Note : I get true cedar shaving at the grocery store in the part for aroma , sachets , etc . for closets and drawer . Rose fossil oil is available from most scent shop . )
range the miscellany into the cure earthenware jar , replace the plate and weight . Seal with aluminum foil and rubber band . Do not bring up the mixture and do n’t peek ! The potpourri will reek a bit " raw " for the first three weeks . ( If you peek , you ’ll understand why the literal translation for potpourri is " stinking stool " ! ) After the quaternary workweek , it can be transfer to a moist salmagundi jar or " scent jar . "
If it dry out out , you’re able to refreshen with a few drops of alcohol or ascend oil . ( Grandma called it " feed the rose jar . " ) That say , I last made this formula in 1991 , and the fragrance tarry in my rosaceous jolt to this day .
I am told , however , the formula ’s ingredients are decidedly masculine in redolence – which is proficient , since I am " unquestionably masculine . " :> ) So you may want to try other spices and herbaceous plant in combination . Or better yet , need your grandmother forherrecipe !
