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Edible Rose Petals
Edible Rose Petals, Rosa carina, are also called organic rose petals, food grade rose petals, or organic dried rose petals.What are Edible Rose Petals
These are not your garden-variety roses, which have lost their scent and flavor due to many years of cross breeding for the perfect "look". These petals are from organic roses that are more like the original rose, free from the "aesthetic" obsessed flower garden culture and left to bloom beautifully and flavorfully. Popular in Middle Eastern cooking, these little edible rose petals make a big visual impact on a dish.While technically not an herb, in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, or Turkey roses are one of the more popular culinary seasoning plants. In 2012 the International Herb Association (IHA) designated it the official herb of the year for 2012.
History of Rose Petals
The genus Rosa belongs to the family of Rosaceae. Roses have been cultivated since antiquity, as early as 3000 BC in China, western Asia, and northern Africa1. The existence of rosewater dates as far back as 1200 BC to the Mycenaean city of Pylos (in modern day Greece) where it was traded commercially2. Roses were used in ancient Rome (753 BC - 476 AD) to provide flavor and sweetness to dishes, in drinks, salads, purees, omelets, and desserts3.The Persians and Turks have a legend where roses were born from the drops of Mohammed's sweat4 and roses were referred to as Gole Mohammadi (Flower of Prophet Mohammed). This naturally had the effect of increasing the popularity of the culinary use of roses in that part of the world. Between 900 and 1600 AD the Persians built an extensive industry to supply the growing demand for roses and their products5. The rose trade would expand from Persia into Arabia where the Arabs mastered the art of distillation which allowed them to extract the essential oil from the roses, also called attar of roses. With the essential oil they were able to produce larger amounts of top quality rose water that would be introduced into Christian Europe as early as the second half of the tenth century6.
The rose also gained prominence medicinally in the form of rose honey, rose syrup, and rose sugar. The honey and sugar were simply mixed with rose petals while rose syrup would be boiled with rose petals7.
The English brought rose water with them when they sailed to America and it appeared in American cookbooks by 17968.
Rose Petal Cultivation
Rose bushes are typically grown in areas with loose, rich soil. They enjoy soil that is moisture retentive and full of organic material with a pH of 6.5-7. Bushes should have direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours and may grow up to three feet tall. Most bushes have flowers that only bloom once per year. There are usually only two colors of roses that are considered edible. One is a lesser quality red rose, the other is the higher quality pink rose that has more subtle flavor and a delicate fragrance.Rose petals are picked early in the morning while the rose buds are still partially closed as this helps them keep the maximum flavor.
Where are Our Organic Dried Rose Petals From
Depending on the time of year and availability either Canada or Egypt.What do Rose Petals Taste Like
Earthy and floral, with a slight sweetness to them.What Kind of Rose Petals are Edible
All rose petals are pretty much edible but some may have been treated with pesticides so you should look for an organic version. The more important question might be – “What are the best tasting rose petals”? If you are lucky enough to have heirloom roses they tend to be more flavorful than the more modern versions found in your home garden that have been bred strictly for looks and/or multiple bloom periods during the growing season.Culinary Food Grade Rose Petals are organically grown and free of GMOs.
How to Use Edible Rose Petals
Rose petals are most popular in Persian Cuisine. Middle Eastern cuisines have been influenced by the Persian inclusion of rose petals in their foods, and so there are a few Middle Eastern Spice Blends that have rose petals in them with our favorite being Ras el Hanout.Petals are the most important part of rose water, which is used in many sweet rice dishes in India. Crush dried rose petals with a mortar and pestle and then mix with sugar for a rose sugar. They are popular in fish dishes, with couscous, stews and one of our favorite recipes using edible rose petals is Roasted Carrot Soup. In British cooking, these are often found alongside the crisp, clean flavors of raspberries, cucumbers, and apples. They are also found with vanilla cakes, as either decoration or as an ingredient. They are a key ingredient in the candy Turkish Delight. We’ve also used them to make a rose tea using 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals for each cup of water.
Rose petals work well in combination with desserts, ice cream and with fruits from the family rosaceae especially apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries.
The flavor of these petals pairs nicely with cardamom, honey, coffee, saffron, cinnamon, cumin, clove, turmeric, and pepper.
Edible Rose Petals Substitutions
When substituting dried rose petals for fresh, it only takes 1/3 of a cup of dried rose petals to equal a cup of fresh petals in a recipe.| Ingredients | Organic Rose Petals |
| Also Called | Organic rose petals, food grade rose petals, or organic dried rose petals |
| Recommended Uses | Used to make tea, jam, rose sugar and rose water or in couscous, fish dishes, rice, and stews |
| Flavor Profile | Earthy and floral with a mild sweetness |
| Botanical Name | Rosa carina |
| Cuisine | Middle Eastern |
| How To Store | Airtight container in a cool, dark place |
| Shelf Life | 6-12 months |
| Country of Origin | Grown in Egypt, processed in Canada |
| Dietary Preferences | Gluten Free, Non-GMO |
Hungry for More Information
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References
1 Bendahmane, M., Dubois, A., Raymond, O., & Bris, M. L. (2013). Genetics and genomics of flower initiation and development in roses. Journal of Experimental Botany, 64(4), 847–857.2 Borchard, R. (1986). Oh My Own Rose: The History and Symbolism of the Rose. Self-Published.
3 P. F. Guiné, R., Florença, S. G., Villalobos Moya, K., & Anjos, O. (2020). Edible Flowers, Old Tradition or New Gastronomic Trend: A First Look at Consumption in Portugal versus Costa Rica . Foods, 9(8), 977.
4 Joret, C. (2012). La rose dans l’antiquité et au moyen âge. Histoire, légendes et symbolisme (French Edition). Ulan Press.
5 Guenther, E. (1952). The Essential Oils. Vol. V. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Scientific Ed.), 41(6), 339–340.
6 Touw, M. (1982). Roses in the Middle Ages . Economic Botany, 36(Jan.-Mar., 1982).
7 Joret, C. (2012). La rose dans l’antiquité et au moyen âge. Histoire, légendes et symbolisme (French Edition). Ulan Press.