Rosewater is a colorless, aromatic liquid made by distilling rose petals with steam. It carries a deep and penetrating fragrance that relays the delicate flavor of roses to sweets and pastries.
Rosewater is also used to flavor food, as a component in some cosmetic and medical preparations, and for religious purposes throughout Asia and Europe. Iran accounts for 90% of the production of rose water in the world. Read on to learn about the benefits of rose water and how to make it yourself.
Which Roses Have the Most Healthy and Beauty Benefit?
There are more than 7,000 varieties of roses now spread worldwide. But only a few are known as oil-bearing roses. These roses are the only raw materials to produce high-quality Rose Water.
However, the Bulgarian Rosa Damascena Rose has been cultivated and well-known as the best oil-bearing rose renowned worldwide for more than 330 years.
The Rose Valley in Bulgaria has the most suitable climate and soil to cultivate Bulgarian Rosa Damascena. Favorable temperatures, amount of sunlight, and frequency of rain are the secrets of producing such roses.
It takes 60,000 rose blossoms to produce a single ounce of pure Bulgarian rose oil. And an ounce of Bulgarian rose oil is more expensive than an ounce of gold. That is why it is called the Liquid Gold of Bulgaria.
What is the Difference Between Rosewater and Rose Infusions?
There is an element of confusion between rose water and rose infusions. However, the ingredients and the production method are not different for the production of rosewater and rose infusions. But there are a few key differences.
Namely, rose water is a long-lasting fragrant liquid that contains the essence of rose. Unlike infusions, it is steam-distilled and colorless.
By contrast, infusions are made by boiling, simmering, and steeping roses in water as you would make herbal tea or other herbal infusions. It lasts only a few days and has a dark color and lighter aroma.
In short,
Rosewater is produced through steam distillation of fresh rose petals. It is colorless, aromatic, and long-lasting.
On the other hand, Rose infusion is produced by simmering and steeping dried or fresh rose petals. It lasts only a few days, has a deep color, and is less fragrant than rose water.
How to Choose Rose Petals
There are various varieties of roses all over the world. If you are lucky enough to grow these pretty flowers in your garden, you would not have to think much. Just pick them early in the morning when the blossoms are the most fragrant. But if you are purchasing roses from outside, ensure they are grown in an organic environment.
Buying fresh roses from your local flower shop will do. However, you have to make sure the organic roses are chemical-free and pesticide-free.
Fragrance can also play a vital role in what color roses you choose. Red and pink roses have a stronger scent and have more petals, while other roses (yellow, white, and orange) often give off whiffs of violet, lemon, or clove.
So, choose the most fragrant roses you can find when you make rose water. The right roses will get you the best result.
How is Royal Sense’s Rose Water Made?
Royal Sense proudly uses the highest and purest grade of organic Bulgarian Rose Water (Rose Hydrosol) in our products.
It produces rose water only from Bulgarian Rosa Damascena Rose is organically grown in the famous Roses Valley in Bulgaria.
The Royal Sense’s rose water is produced only from the best roses in the world. It is not a mixture of rose oil and distilled water. Fresh organic rose petals of Bulgarian Rosa Damascena Rose are hand-picked from the rose fields in the morning while the dew is still on them. These fresh rose petals go through a meticulous steam-distillation process. In this process, purified distilled water passes through fresh rose petals and extracts all the soluble elements. The water which condenses and drips into a collecting vessel is called Rose Water.
How to make Rose Water?
The method is an essential factor in the quality of Rose Water. There are various ways by which you can prepare rose water with petals at home. There are a few methods of preparing rose water, including:
- Simmering
- Distilling
How Many Petals Do You Need To Make Rosewater?
The number of petals you will need depends on how much rose water you want to make. As a general rule, 2 or 3 flowers are enough for 1 cup of fresh petals or 1/4 cup of dried petals.
Next, separate the petals from the flower and gently wash them with water to get rid of dust and any traces of foreign material.
Then you are ready to move on to your next step.
1) The Simmering Method
The easiest and the quickest way to make rose water is Simmering. Here are the supplies you need to have before starting the Simmering Method.
Supplies
- Enough fresh rose petals, rinsed and cleaned
- A wide pot or saucepan
- A Strainer
- Glass spray bottle or jar
- Enough distilled water
- Measuring cups
Steps To Make Rosewater
- If you have bought the roses from outside, wash them well. Add your clean rose petals to your pot or saucepan.
- Add enough distilled water to cover the petals. Do not add too much water, or you will dilute your rose water! You can use water in proportion 1:3 to make rosewater.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it simmer for 30–45 minutes.
- Once the water boils, lower the flame and allow the water to simmer and soak up the color and essence of the rose petals.
- Ensure that the color on the petals has faded or become colorless.
- This process will take about five minutes. Now, let the water cool completely.
- Strain the water into a spray bottle or jar. Using a spray bottle or jar is the best way to store the rose water.
- When it gets cooled, you should keep it in the refrigerator for about one week before you start using it.
- You can use some preservatives to use it longer.
2) The Distillation Method
The Distilling Method is the more traditional way of creating rose water. It will give you the most concentrated and clearer rose water than others but take a few extra steps. It has more natural benefits than the simmering approach. Here are the supplies you need to have before starting the Distillation Method.
Supplies
- Enough fresh rose petals, rinsed and cleaned
- A wide pot or saucepan
- A small heatproof bowl, like metal or ceramic
- ice cubes
- Glass spray bottle or jar
- Enough distilled water
Steps To Make Rosewater
- Place a small heat-resistant bowl in the center of a wide pot.
- Add the washed petals to it carefully so that they do not get stuck under the bowl.
- Add distilled water to the pot until the petals are just submerged.
- Place the lid upside down on the pot, and place the ice cubes in the lid.
- Bring to a boil.
- Continue adding ice cubes as needed.
- Turn the heat to low and simmer for 30–45 minutes.
- Carefully remove the lid with tongs to check the color of the petals. Once they have lost their color, you are done!
- Allow the rose water to cool completely.
- Once cool, transfer the rose water from the bowl to a spray bottle.
- Refrigerate and use for up to 6 months.
Tips For Making Rose Water
While steam distillation can sound complex, it is a simple process that you can do in your kitchen with pots and bowls that you already have. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind to make rose water.
- Choose unsprayed roses: The floristry industry uses heavy doses of toxic chemicals that make their flowers unfit for consumption. So, you will need to use fresh, unsprayed roses that have been grown naturally or organically. You might find those in your garden.
- Clean your roses well to remove bugs and debris: I like to plunge the flowers into a sink full of cold water. It will rid the flowers of bugs and any dirt.
- Use a trivet: Use a trivet to lower the likelihood of your bowl breaking.
- A deep, curved lid is more effective at holding the ice than a flat lid because it allows the rose water to drip into the bowl easily.
How To Preserve Rosewater
If you want to preserve rosewater for future use, you need to add a preservative. You may like to add vodka as a preservative.
- Add one teaspoon of vodka for every 2 cups of water during the distillation or simmering process.
- Follow the instructions of your chosen method for preparing rosewater and all other steps.
- Cool and store in the refrigerator to keep your rose water even longer.
How Can We Use Rosewater?
Rosewater is well known for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits to all. You can use this full of antioxidant solutions in many ways. Here are some suggestions to remind you how important it is in our everyday life.
As a Toner
You can use rosewater as a toner by combining it with more distilled water. Rosewater toner is an excellent alternative to those with alcohol that tend to dry out the skin. Using rose water helps you remove excess oil and dirt to maintain the pH balance of your skin. Just apply it to clean skin using a cotton ball.
As a Perfume
The rosewater can work as a natural perfume. You have to make it with a blend of rose water, essential oils, and vanilla extract.
As a Body Spray
You can use rosewater as a body spray also. Using rosewater will perk up, cool down, or give you a blast of floral scent.
Spritz it on the face to keep the skin hydrated. Spray it on your body immediately after a shower to feel fresh and rejuvenated all day.
Room Spray
Rosewater is a natural air freshener. If you want your house to smell like roses, spritz some rose water and get some fresh air.
You can also spray it on furniture, curtains, and pillows to release a gentle scent.
Hair Spray
Spritz rosewater to tame frizzy hair or a sweaty or itchy scalp.
Mixing rose water with coconut/almond oil will give you a scalp massage to relax, hydrate the hair, and stimulate the hair follicles.
You can also rinse your hair with rose water after shampooing. It will act as a mild conditioner and keeps hair shiny and sweet-smelling.
Ironing spray
Rosewater can be used to refresh your clothes while ironing. Just pour some rose water into your steam iron instead of normal water.
Bath time
Adding some rosewater to your bath will give you hydration and relaxation.
Soothe Irritated Skin
Aside from the scent benefits, mixing rose water with apple cider vinegar can help soothe skin irritations. When it comes to the skin, rose water can help:
- protect the cells against damage
- heal sunburn
- soothe irritation
- calm redness
- ease symptoms of skin conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
In Food
The rosewater is not only used for beauty purposes. Just a teaspoon in your tea, yogurt, or lemonade can provide you with vitamins and healthy minerals from the inside out. You can also use it in biriani, polao, salad to have great food.
Eye Health
Cotton pads dipped in rose water can be used to cover tired eyes and reduce the look of fatigue and puffiness.
It also helps treat eye conditions like conjunctivitis, dry eye, and cataracts.
Final Thought
Using rosewater is generally considered safe and mild. But still, it is possible to have an allergy to roses. Always do a patch test before using to ensure there is no reaction.
