This year the Rosa species has been chosen as herb of the year. Beautiful bouquets and flower covered trellises come to mind when I think of roses, but I don’t usually think of the rose as an herb.
But then I remember all the recipes that I’ve seen using rose water, or the many times I see rose hip tea mentioned, or pretty tea time treats with candied rose petals. So the rose is so much more than a favorite ornamental plant.
I’ve read that rose hip tea is a digestive aid (medicinal) and since rose hips are high in vitamin C, they may provide relief for the common cold.
Rose water (made from the petals) is an astringent and helpful to treat acne. It is also used in cosmetics.
Candied rose petals (culinary) are used as a pretty garnish for baked goods.
Since I don’t grow roses myself (just one bush), I’ll have to see if I can find a source for organic roses. I’d like to try some of the many recipes I’ve seen using roses. This one for Drop Scones with Rose Petals and Pistachios sounds good.
Do you have a favorite rose tea or baked good?
7 comments:
My favorite is pound cake with rose water and rose petals folded carefully into the batter.
Though I adore roses, I am not fond of the flavor. How fascinating that it is the herb of the year. My husband just planted 11 rose bushes in your garden and I know we must have at least 10 others in different places in the yard. He is my rose guy and loves having roses in the garden. Can't wait to pick bouquets.
Love that the Rose is the Herb of the Year this year. My mother always served rose petal sandwiches at her garden tea parties. I continue to make them for very special occasions. Here's our blog post from a few years ago.
http://therosemaryhouse.blogspot.com/2008/06/rose-petal-sandwiches.html
I did not know about this honor for my most beloved flower! Thanks for the heads-up!
That photo is absolutely stunning! A summer or two ago I made rose petal tea. Now, I cannot vouch for the flavor of rose HIP tea, but the rose PETAL tea tasted like perfume. I was advised to just add a few petals to another tea, but haven't tried that yet. I think it's like lavender in that a little goes a long way.
God bless! Beth
I have made rose petal preserves and love to have it with my scones and Devon cream and a cup of Lady Amherst, a lovely Lady Grey with rose petals. My favorite rose bush is Tea Clipper, a David Austin Rose. I frequently use rose water in French macarons, sorbets, and other desserts for Afternoon Tea. I also love iced rose hips tea
I will try this delightful scone recipe this Summer as soon as my roses burst into blooom.
I just love everything about roses!
Recently found your lovely blog and will be sure to stop back for another visit. Hope you have a happy day and thank you for sharing the beauty of roses.
I really like this bagged white rose tea I got at the supermarket, I think it was from Numi organics. Very nice, floral and delicate.
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