When I went to Turkey I was fortunate to join a tour to rose fields for dawn picking with village women. Then on to the distillery. The rose petals are stored in a bunker to air before being put in the still. We were allowed to sit in the shed of roses. You can imagine the scent! We were all euphoric, showering ourselves with so many rose petals. Quite the experience to remember.
What an incredible experience! And one that cannot be truly captured and shared online. It only lives in your memory and my imagination. Thank you for sharing it!
A wonderful morning read Sam and definitely a recipe to try! We’ve yet to find wild roses here but will definitely plant some in time. We’ve also just bought a David Austin Pauls Himalayan Musk after being blown away by the ‘rose alleyway’ at Dan Yr Onnen.
The white rose is still the emblem of us Yorkshire tykes too!
Thank you! I agree, Huw’s Himalayan Musk compost bin corner is a natural masterpiece. So beautiful! And the David Austin Shropshire Lass (I’m originally from Shropshire) is a white rose too, so I have something in common with you Yorkshire tykes 😂
I’m happy to make you an honorary Tyke Sam! You’re half way there bring a cap wearer. Your passport will be bound in Yorkshire Pudding and be delivered by a whippet shortly. 😂
The Shropshire Lass is a beauty too. Another one for the shopping list!
Rugosa roses are plentiful here so I pick a handful when I walk. Right now I am drying them in my studio and the smell is divine. That's enough reason to bring them inside. I made facial rose water last year and some rose tea blends but I think I would like to try my hand at some rose jam. Do you ever mix in another fruit? Apple rose? Blackberry rose? Orange Rose? How fun. Thanks for the fragrant post.
That’s wonderful! Yes, they go well with lots of fruits. Last year I made blackcurrant and rose petal jelly, which is stunning ruby coloured and crystal clear. This year I’ll mix a citrus rose petal with the last of our gooseberries to make a curd. The trick is to simmer them and not boil. The aroma is very sensitive to heat.
Thank you for the tip, I've watched some great videos on making the jelly, and surprisingly without any added pectin. I'm pretty sure I'll add in a little pectin, though I could always claim I made rose syrup if it doesn't jell.
I have a couple of rose bushes, chosen for the intensity of their flowers' scent. Just yesterday I put a bunch of petals to infuse in vodka but there should be more blooms on their way, in which case I'll definitely try the cordial.
When I went to Turkey I was fortunate to join a tour to rose fields for dawn picking with village women. Then on to the distillery. The rose petals are stored in a bunker to air before being put in the still. We were allowed to sit in the shed of roses. You can imagine the scent! We were all euphoric, showering ourselves with so many rose petals. Quite the experience to remember.
What an incredible experience! And one that cannot be truly captured and shared online. It only lives in your memory and my imagination. Thank you for sharing it!
A wonderful morning read Sam and definitely a recipe to try! We’ve yet to find wild roses here but will definitely plant some in time. We’ve also just bought a David Austin Pauls Himalayan Musk after being blown away by the ‘rose alleyway’ at Dan Yr Onnen.
The white rose is still the emblem of us Yorkshire tykes too!
Thank you! I agree, Huw’s Himalayan Musk compost bin corner is a natural masterpiece. So beautiful! And the David Austin Shropshire Lass (I’m originally from Shropshire) is a white rose too, so I have something in common with you Yorkshire tykes 😂
I’m happy to make you an honorary Tyke Sam! You’re half way there bring a cap wearer. Your passport will be bound in Yorkshire Pudding and be delivered by a whippet shortly. 😂
The Shropshire Lass is a beauty too. Another one for the shopping list!
Gladly accepted! Anything in pudding suits me fine. My family prior to my generation are all from Middlesbrough. So I’d say that’s close enough too!
Absolutely near enough! I wonder whether you could make an edible culture from a Yorkshire Pudding? 😳
How are the oats having sat cosy in the lap of luxury on their journey from Londinium?
Rugosa roses are plentiful here so I pick a handful when I walk. Right now I am drying them in my studio and the smell is divine. That's enough reason to bring them inside. I made facial rose water last year and some rose tea blends but I think I would like to try my hand at some rose jam. Do you ever mix in another fruit? Apple rose? Blackberry rose? Orange Rose? How fun. Thanks for the fragrant post.
That’s wonderful! Yes, they go well with lots of fruits. Last year I made blackcurrant and rose petal jelly, which is stunning ruby coloured and crystal clear. This year I’ll mix a citrus rose petal with the last of our gooseberries to make a curd. The trick is to simmer them and not boil. The aroma is very sensitive to heat.
Thank you for the tip, I've watched some great videos on making the jelly, and surprisingly without any added pectin. I'm pretty sure I'll add in a little pectin, though I could always claim I made rose syrup if it doesn't jell.
Thank you for this fascinating meander through the rose garden. Beautifully written and just the gentle antidote I needed this morning.
You are most welcome. I’m always glad to help.
I have a couple of rose bushes, chosen for the intensity of their flowers' scent. Just yesterday I put a bunch of petals to infuse in vodka but there should be more blooms on their way, in which case I'll definitely try the cordial.
Thank you, I’m now running out to the garden to see, smell, taste, touch again.