Rose water became hugely popular in the Middle East during the early Middle Ages. There, they used rose water not just for desserts but in medicine, for religious ceremonies, dentistry, and more. Crusaders later introduced the fragrant water to Europe, where it became a luxury commodity among the aristocracy. Boskabady, M. H., Shafei, M. N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011, July-August). Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 14(4), 295–307 A distillation apparatus is set up. A large pot is filled with water and placed over a heat source with a condenser and a collection vessel. The heat source is then fired up to bring the water to a boil.

A specific protein fragment called an amyloid, which is created by the body, has been shown to be present in these conditions and to affect the brain function, kill cells, and hinder memory. Encouragingly, properties found in rose water are an inhibitor of this amyloid. Headaches Hydrosol and absolute extract: This can be taken from the flower, petals, or hips and can be a cheaper alternative to rose oil.

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Add it to yogurt, frosting, or ice cream: Light floral flavors go very well with cream, giving them an unexpected Mediterranean flair.

Across many different cultures, rose water is most commonly used in dessert recipes. Here are some of the ways in which different cuisines use it: Middle Eastern: Rose water is often in Middle Eastern recipes like halva, Turkish delight, and sometimes baklava. It’s a key ingredient in this Lebanese Rose Water Rice Pudding and this Israeli Malabi with Pomegranate Syrup. Rose water contains between 10 and 50 percent rose oil. It is often used in religious ceremonies, as well as in the food industry. However, the same product can come in different forms. Next time you bake a cake, try swapping the vanilla extract with rose water. You might just find your new favorite flavor. How Is Rose Water Made?It’s a distillate: Meaning it uses the distillation process we covered above instead of simply boiling and steeping rose petals. Some will say this on the label, others you’ll have to research the brand. French: Rose water is sometimes in French pastries like madeleines, macarons and these Pistachio Palmiers.

If floral waters are new to you, then start by adding a small amount (¼ teaspoon) and working your way up. Keep in mind, if you add too much of anything floral, it can taste soapy, but just the right amount is heavenly. Indian: Rose water is in many Indian sweets, which are known as mithai or mishti. Among popular Diwali sweets, rose water is often in rasmalai (a cold, juicy treat) and lyangcha (a deep-fried sweet). Editor’s tip: You can find more of Vasavada’s recipes in her cookbook, Milk and Cardamom. (Here are other Indian cookbooks we love.) How to Use Rose Water for Cooking Rose water has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which mean it can help wounds heal faster, by keeping them clean and fighting injections. Often the petals are eaten, with yogurt, for example, and are used for the previously mentioned digestive benefits.

You can use rose water for cooking and baking everything from pudding to cookies—these tips and recipes will help you get started.

Water and roses only: The only ingredient on a label should be 100% rose water. Look for an all-natural rose water free from additives, dyes or preservatives. Just as the fumes of rose water are inhaled to help improve mood, it is believed that the de-stressing effects can also help treat headaches and migraines. In other medical cases, rose water is known to be beneficial in the treatment of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mahboubi, M. (2016, January). Rosa damascene as holy ancient herb with novel applications. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 6(1), 10–16 The rose water is purified. The liquid is carefully separated from any remaining traces of water or oil, then filtered to remove any impurities or sediment. The company is based in Lebanon, and they harvest spring Damask Roses at dawn. When ready, they use a traditional water distillation process heating the petals over very low temperatures. The concentrated liquid captures that sensation of taking in a fresh rose’s aroma—just the way we like it! How to Cook with Rose Water Buy rose water online (we sell it in our shop here at The Mediterranean Dish), or at a specialty grocery store or Middle Eastern market. There are two main types of rose water: food grade and cosmetic. To cook with rose water, make sure you’re buying food grade rose water. You can use the food grade rose water for cosmetic purposes, but you should not use the cosmetic kind in food. Look for rose water in the grocery store baking aisle. It may not be at your local Kroger, but you’ll likely find it at Whole Foods or your nearest Indian grocer. You can also buy rose water online— Cortas rose water is a popular brand.

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This is created by distilling the rose flower. The oil can be mass-produced in factories and is a pale, yellow color and semisolid.