Scentsational ideas for getting even more pleasure from Summer's most glorious blooms.

Crystallized Rose Petals

These look so beautiful on a special occasion cake or even a cheesecake and are bound to be a conversation starter.

First you will need to gather rose petals from a source, preferably your own garden, where you are confident that they have not been sprayed with pesticides. Unfortunately, roses from the florist or the supermarket are not suitable for eating.

Wash the petals carefully and pat dry with a towel, trimming off the lighter part where the petal joins the rest of the flower as this can taste bitter.

Prepare a mixture of whisked egg white and fine granulated sugar and using a small paint brush coat each petal with the mixture, or if you prefer paint the petals with the egg white and sprinkle with the sugar afterwards. Carefully shake off the excess and place on a sheet of waxed or greaseproof paper to dry.

Use to decorate cakes, pastries, ice cream and desserts.

Rose Water

Most little girls have made "perfume" from roses steeped in water. Here is a recipe for a super rose water that you can use chilled from the refrigerator to cool your face and neck on long, hot summer days.

Again you will need rose petals from flowers that you are sure have not been treated with pesticides.

Firstly, gather the petals from three or four roses and place them in a saucepan with a pint of water. Heat gently until the roses become transparent, but do not allow them to boil.

Let the mixture cool, then strain through a sieve into a jug, pushing the petals with your fingers to extract all of the liquid.

If you have a spray bottle pour your rose water into this and refrigerate.

Use as a cooling spray on face or neck.

Will keep for a week or more in the refrigerator.

Dried Rose Petals

Select full blown roses early in the morning but after the dew has dried. Pick apart the petals and spread them out on a paper towel. Leave in a dry airy but not sunny spot turning them until they are dry.

Once dried you can add a little essential rose oil and place in a small room to enjoy the fragrance or use to decorate craft projects.

You can also mix the dried petals with dried lavender flowers and place in a little cotton or muslin bag before letting the hot water run over the bag and scent your bath.

N.B. Do not use essential oils if you are pregnant or have allergies.

Old Fashioned Pot Pourri Recipe

To a basin of dried scented roses add a handful of dried knotted marjoram, lemon thyme, rosemary, lavender flowers all well-dried, the rind of one lemon and one orange dried to powder, six dried bay leaves, half an ounce of bruised cloves, a teaspoon of allspice. Mix well together and stir occasionally.

Quotations About Roses

I don't know whether nice people tend to grow roses, or growing roses makes people nice.

(Roland A. Browne)

And I will make thee beds of roses And a thousand fragrant posies.

The Passionate Shepherd to his Love. Christopher Marlowe

It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes, And pleasant scents the noses.

Nathaniel Parker Willis

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.

William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream. Act ii. Sc. 1.

Copyright 2001
Colleen Moulding