Rose water is rich in vitamin E (antioxidant); it serves to relax our face, neck and arms. It is also useful for atomizing the body and certain foods.
It is obtained from the distillation of the rose petals, a process that requires patience (it can take even more than 4 hours) and dedication; but if you enjoy alchemy, here is one of the most used recipes for making rose water.
What do you need?
-A large stainless steel pot with a lid (must be completely clean and dry).
– A Pyrex glass tray or similar that can tolerate high temperatures.
– A brick that occupies about a quarter of the pot or a stainless steel container that can also be used as a pedestal inside the pot to support the glass tray.
– 12 cups of rose petals (preferably fresh from pink or red roses).
– A sufficient amount of distilled water to cover all the rose petals.
– Abundant ice.
How to make rose water?
– Place the pot on the stove off; arrange inside the pedestal and around it the petals that should cover at least 3/4 of it.
– Add the distilled water until it covers the roses.
– Put the glass tray on the pedestal and turn the burner on to medium heat.
– Place the lid of the pot but inverted; that is, with the top down.
– When the water begins to boil, place ice cubes on the lid (which is why it must be inverted) so that the temperature drops. It is important to minimize the escape of steam because the amount of rose water you will obtain depends on it. If necessary, you can change the lid for a stainless steel tray that perfectly covers the pot.
– Every time the ice melts, add more.
– You must control your curiosity because it will lead you to want to uncover the pot while the process lasts, but this will make you lose rose water in the form of steam. It is preferable to wait about 4 hours, during which time you will have obtained time until the process is finished, after which you will have obtained about 2 cups of rose water.
– It is important not to raise the heat too high, this will not speed up the process and it can burn the petals
How does it work?
When the water evaporates it incorporates the properties of the roses including their aroma. When that hot steam touches the cold lid, the water condenses in the center of the lid and falls in droplets onto the glass tray. This is rose water.
How to use raised water?
Bottle the rose water in a perfectly clear glass bottle with an airtight seal or in a spray bottle. Cool off with this water whenever you want, you can also use it after bathing, before sleeping or if you add two or three drops of glycerin to a small portion, you will obtain an effective cream to prevent aging of your hands.