Recipes for Rose, Lavender, & Other Potpourris

Jacki Kellum Dried Flower Bouquet

I dried these flowers naturally — by hanging them upside down. It’s a hobby I have enjoyed almost all my life. Following is a video that shows how I dry flowers by hanging them upside down in the dark:

When I dry flowers, I simply hang them upside down in a dark and sheltered place. I don’t use silicon or any other chemical during the drying process. Some of the fkiwers dry beautifully. Some disintegrate. Because I can’t bear to throw the broken pieces and petals away, I make potpourri.

On August 13, 224, I purchased a Cosori Dehydrator, and I dehydrated some fairy rose blossoms. The jury is still out, but my first impression is that either method of drying flowers is equally good for making potpourri.

What Is Potpourri?

pot·pour·ri
/ˌpōpəˈrē/
noun
a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to perfume clothing or a room. – Definitions from Oxford Languages

Potpourri Recipes

Image Credit: Mississippi Agriculture Extension

Method

“Place dried rose petals in a large bowl and add orange peel and dried lavender.

Sprinkle with lavender oil and toss gently.

Transfer to one or more glass jars, seal and allow the aromas to blend for a day or two.

To dry the petals, try one of these methods:” Whole Foos

Microwave Drying Rose Petals
“Line a microwave-safe plate with a paper towel. Scatter about 1 1/2 lightly packed cups (about 2 small handfuls) of petals over the paper towel (don’t crowd the plate or your petals will steam, not dry). Microwave for 1 minute intervals, stirring petals gently between intervals, until the petals are crisp, 2 to 5 minutes total. Place them on a large wire rack to cool for 1 to 2 hours.” Whole Foods

“Potpourri was first documented in the mid-18th century but has a far longer history. Early potpourri was made just like this recipe with scented flowers, herbs and spices. Roses were often the star of the show with their soothing and calming scent. Many shop-bought roses have been genetically modified to have their scent gene removed and are often sprayed with pesticides. So, to make your homemade potpourri we recommend untreated, fragrant homegrown roses or scented English garden roses, like ours, for the best scent. If you are  picking your own, we would suggest first thing in the morning, after the dew has settled. Here on our sustainable South Downs Flower farm we always pick first thing, as the flowers have had the benefit of the cool night air and morning dew, so the stems are filled with water and carbohydrates and the blooms have an abundance of natural scent, whereas as the day warms up the stems start to slowly dehydrate.” Real Flower Co,

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR HOMEMADE ROSE PETAL POTPOURRI:

List from Chemistry Cachet

Dried Orange Peels Are Also a Good Addition to Potpourr

You must also dry the orange peels:

You can also dry orange peells in a ark closet for 5 to 6 days or you can dry them in the over:

“Spread them on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and dry in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes. If the peel starts to brown, turn off the oven for a few minutes, and rotate the pan. The peels will curl up and turn stiff when they’re dry.” The Spruce

 

 


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