Orange blossom water is a Middle Eastern ingredient made by infusing distilled water with essential oil from orange blossoms. It is used in cooking and beauty products, but can be hard to find. Seville oranges are believed to produce the best orange blossom water.
Orange blossom water is distilled water that has been infused with essential oil extracted from orange blossoms. The water has a rich citrus scent and a strong orange flavor. It often appears in Middle Eastern cuisine and also in the dishes of some European nations; it is also sometimes used as a beauty item, commonly used to rinse hair, hands and feet in some regions of the world.
Finding orange flower water can sometimes be a challenge. Shoppers who live in an area with a Middle Eastern population may be able to find it at a market, along with rose and lavender waters. It can also sometimes be found in large markets for the more general population, especially in urban areas. People planting to use this scented water for cooking should avoid products sold in drug and beauty stores, as they may not use food-grade essential oils.
The taste and scent of orange blossom water is quite distinctive. Most recipes encourage cooks to use it lightly, because it can get cloying and overwhelming. A very common use is in sugar syrups which can be drizzled over pastries and fruit salads to provide a pop of flavour. It is also used in savory and marinated recipes, sometimes together with candied orange blossom or rose petals; the sweet floral notes of orange blossom water pair very well with savory foods, especially spicy ones.
Culinary historians believe this product originated in the Middle East, as evidence seems to suggest that people in that region developed the extraction process needed to access the essential oils in orange blossoms. By the 10th century, water was common throughout the Middle East, and European adventurers were bringing it back with them as an exotic delicacy; dishes prepared with it were often in great demand, because the ingredient was perceived as unusual and exotic.
The flowers of the Seville oranges are believed to make one of the best orange blossom waters, as they have a very strong and rich aroma. Of course, other oranges can also be used, but they may not produce the desired high essential oil content. People who can’t get this water locally may have better luck by looking for food-grade orange blossom essential oil and adding it to water to dilute it. It can also be ordered from importers, although it can be expensive if purchased this way.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
