The first time we bought a bottle of rose water, we had no idea what we were going to do with it. It just sounded so lovely! Now the fragrant rose water is a staple in our pantry, infusing everything from cakes to rice.
Made from the distillation of rose petals, rose water has a long culinary history, originating with the Persians and spreading across the medieval Islamic world. Today, from the Middle East to North Africa to South Asia, rose water may be used to flavor both sweet and savory dishes. It's a key ingredient in sweets like lokum (Turkish delight), marzipan, and gulab jamun. Even rice dishes and meats like lamb may be enhanced with the delicate, sweet aroma of rose water.
In the United States, its use is often confined to mixed drinks. Rose water also seems to be an acquired taste for some. If you've never cooked with it, or think you don't like it but want to give it another try, we suggest using a delicate hand. Too much rose water can overpower and veer into overly-perfumed grandma territory. But just the right amount can be delightful. Add a few drops to iced tea or lemonade, lightly drizzle it over berries or melon, or add a splash to rice pudding with pistachios. Add it to whipped cream and serve with fruit or cake. Or try one of these recipes:
• Fresh Fig and Rose Smoothie, from Chocolate & Zucchini
• Melon and Mozzarella Salad with Rose Water Vinaigrette, from Serious Eats
• Rose Water and Tea Granita, from Bon Appétit
• Rose Water Plum Compote, from 101 Cookbooks
• Rosewater & Pistachio Kulfi with Griddled Mangoes, from BBC Good Food
• Rosewater Yogurt Panna Cotta with Blueberries, from The Kitchn
• Shirin Polo (Persian Sweet Rice), from Olive Trees and Honey
Rose water may be found at Indian and Middle Eastern markets and gourmet shops. Once opened, store it in the refrigerator. To make your own rose water, check out this article:
• How to Cook With Roses and Make Rosewater, from Suite101
Related: Straight Up: Using Roses in Cocktails
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There used to be a great Turkish tea shop in Chapel Hill, NC that had an amazing, dense, honey-soaked rose cake. I've searched the interwebs but haven't found anything like it. Any ideas?
Do you know how many stores I have gone to looking for this product? I was trying to make the panna cotta recipe highlighted some weeks ago. I will try my local Indian shops, but if someone knows of a retailer in the Hollywood, CA area, please post it here.
Rosewater is delicious in desserts. I love it in buttercream. It has this unique flavor/scent in that that no one recognizes in a buttercream but they just love.
Pistachio and rose anything tastes great! I'm a full fledged rosewater supporter. Don't forget about orange blossom water too! Usually right next to rosewater at the store and just as great!
sassifrassi -- try looking in the cosmetics section of a health food store.
A friend and I just made delicious yogurt pops with rose water and mint. We used the rose water to substitute some of the regular water used to make simple syrup. Popped it in the blender with plain yogurt and a handful of fresh mint leaves and froze it in popsicle trays. SO fresh and yum!
Tea! Why didn't I think of that?
I believe it's also frequently used in baklava.
Rose ice cream is really good, too.
Mhirsch, as of 2 months ago, there was a fabulous coffee shop in Raleigh called Turkish Delight, owned by two sisters from Turkey. They serve coffee and homemade pastries in addition to smoothies and ice cream to cater to the students in the neighborhood, and the shop is adorned in all manner of Turkish goods - all of which, of course, are for sale. Here's the website: http://www.turkishdelightsusa.com/ - I moved back to Atlanta but I assume that they are still open. And if you're looking for Rosewater you can head to Neomonde deli/bakery/cafe in Raleigh, too!
Ah! I love rosewater! I love orange flower water too, and you can often interchange the two.
You rosewater lovers should really try Mashti Malone's rosewater saffron pistachio ice cream.
You're welcome.
OK, y'all - here is one of my very best secrets. But first, a story: My son went to an international high school, and there was a yearly food festival in which the most fantastic foods were brought by students and faculty. HIs first year, I was distracted, and forgot to prepare something ahead of time, so I racked my brain to think of something unusual and good. I knew that the only beverages would probably be teas, so I made a teen-friendly version of a drink I remembered from my days as a teenager in San Francisco, which was simply called "rosewater and lime". I cut up our local tiny limes in quarters, bought some cheap rosewater syrup at our local Middle Eastern store, and used lemon-line beverage as a base, adding rose water and a squeeze of lime. The kids mobbed me, even more than the boba table! I found out that evening that rose flavored soda pop is a staple in some countries.
This can also be made a punch with a garnish of rose petals:
1 gallon inexpensive store brand lemon-lime soda, chilled.
1 cup (or to taste) rose syrup
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
Ice, ice, ice
This makes oh, maybe 15 -12 oz (with ice) servings. I also made it for a quinceanera as a punch, and impressed the upper-class extended family of the young lady. They flew in from Mexico in their private jet for the occasion.
In Cairo, during the summer, we like to use rose water in a much more simple way, whenever we're by the beach.
Just by adding a few drops into a cold glass of water!
It's incredibly refreshing, and perfect after a long day by the beach!
Also there's a Lebanese drink that uses rose water- it's called 'White Coffee', and is a lighter substitute to tea and coffee after meals. It consists of water with a few drops of rose water at tea temperature (warm to hot), with a bit of sugar. Some people like to add a bit of mint, but I find it ruins the purity of the flavour.
I love this stuff! Add a touch to mascerated strawberries for the most ethereal dessert ever!
sassifrassi, you should be able to find it at Jons or India Sweets & Spices.
Sassifrasi - LA is ground zero for the Persian community in the US, so there should be a number of middle-eastern/persian shops in the LA area, not far from Hollywood. Look up Iranian or Persian stores on the internet. Here I usually buy it at Pakistani/Indian stores or at Turkish/Middle-Eastern stores.
Hmm, I thought "White Coffee" was only made with orange water -- at least that is what our friends who made it for us told us... When we were served "White Coffee", it was served just like tea -- in a teapot, made with boiling water, etc. It sounds very simple, but it is actually quite lovely. Our friends told us that it is quite trendy in Lebanon -- they sell decorated services for "white coffee", and it is very popular in cafes.
We make lassis with rose water (actually, we can buy them from our local supermarket!).
Sassifrassi - I have found rose water at Whole Foods in Pasadena, so I am guessing most WF in the LA area will have it.
I love semolina yogurt cake with rosewater syrup- here's a great recipe
http://funnfud.blogspot.com/2007/11/basbousa-semolina-sooji-cake-with-rose.html
That semolina yogurt cake looks exactly like what I've been looking for!! Thanks, dlewin! Now, where to get semolina...
sassifrassi, try Middle Eastern shops. I get mine at a Lebanese restaurant that has a small grocery store connected.
My alternate (non-cooking) use for rose water is as a spray! I put it in a mini perfume atomizer and it's perfect for clearing the air, your clothes etc -- especially after visiting smoky places while traveling.
Oh, great. Now I have no reason not to buy that giant bottle of rosewater at the corner supermercado.
http://www.abreadaday.com
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
sassifrassi -
I was just down in LA and found it (and many amazing wonderful culinary delights) at Surfas, a wholesale kitchen supply store open to the public. Its in Culver City.
in fact... here is a link to their online listing for it.
(and oh boy am I in trouble that they have an online store...)
http://www.surfasonline.com/products/1626.cfm
Sassifrassi -
As others mentioned, Whole Foods in LA carry it as does Surfas in Culver City. India Sweets & Spices as well! I picked up my bottle 2 weeks ago at the Whole Foods on 3rd St in LA, though I wasn't able to locate a bottle at the Whole Foods in El Segundo (I think they were sold out!). I found it on the bottom shelf of the baking section. Hope that helps (:
That iced tea looks so refreshing! I picked up a bottle myself to make rose scented buttercream to top some chocolate cupcakes, but I think I'll be making myself some iced tea when I get home tonight! (: