Dried Rose Petals

Roses have always been considered special in Western culture. In Roman days, they were called the Flower of Venus, and were worn by both her priestesses and the goddess Hecate. To early Christians, white roses represented the Virgin Mary, with red roses symbolizing the blood of Jesus. Today, roses -- and particularly their petals -- are used in a variety of rituals, special events, and decorative settings. There's no arguing the fact that fresh rose petals are your best option, given the vibrancy of their color, their natural scent, and their velvety feel. But as with all things organic, fresh rose petals are temporary; they may wilt before you get around to using them. One solution? Dried rose petals.

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Preserved for posterity

Dried rose petals are good for more than just potpourri, although they certainly represent a primary traditional ingredient of such nosegays. But dried rose petals are also useful because they keep longer than the fresh variety, and are ideal for many of the same uses as fresh petals: scattering before a wedding procession, lining interior spaces, sprinkling on tablecloths prior to that big dinner, and for creating that bed of roses you've promised your girlfriend. (You didn't really think it would be made of complete roses, did you? Imagine all the thorns!)

Naturally, dried rose petals may be used for less-traditional things as well. Some dried rose petals are considered "food-grade," and may be sprinkled into tea to add a little extra flavor. These petals may also be used in soaps and other cosmetic ungeants. Dried rose petals are also ideal for sachets, and if you like you can strengthen their natural scent with essential oils.

Creating dried rose petals

There are two ways to dry rose petals: natural drying and freeze drying. Naturally dried rose petals are picked from full-blown roses early in the morning, after the dew has dried. The petals are left in dry location with plenty of ventilation, and turned repeatedly until they are fully dried. Then there's the modern method, which actually produces dried rose petals with a longer use life: freeze drying. Freeze dried rose petals are produced in a slightly more complicated fashion: the petals are placed in a freeze-dryer and frozen solid. Then the air is pumped out of the compartment, leaving the petals in a vacuum as airless as outer space. Water acts weird in a vacuum; instead of melting into liquid as the temperature is raised, is turns straight into a gas -- that is, water vapor. The rose petal is left dry as a bone and perfectly preserved. Over the course of two weeks, the temperature is raised to room temperature, and when the compartment is opened, viola! Perfect dried rose petals, completely water-free and capable of lasting for months.

How long will my dried rose petals last?

Certainly not as long as Dick Clark, but much longer than fresh rose petals. Regular dried rose petals will last for weeks or months in potpourri, though you might not want to use them for decorative or celebratory purposes, since they're obviously dried. For these purposes, freeze dried rose petals are best. They can last as long as a year. And where can you get the best freeze dried rose petals on the Internet? Why, right here at Miss Rose Petals, of course. We carry dozens of colors and varieties, all completely natural -- just improved a bit by modern technology.