National flowers of Iran are: Rose- Tulip- Mediterranean Cypress and Louts. Among them, rose flowers are most popular and loving between Iranian and have such an especial place.
Rose water which is called ‘ Golab’ In Farsi ( Persian) language, is a flavour water made by steeping beautiful rose petals in water and during a long process, rose water produce.
In Iran, rose water and rose petals is used to flavour food, sweeties, and is also used in cosmetic industry (as a source of perfume or cream and lotions), and in medical issues.
Rose water has ceremonial functions as well.
With rose petals can make wonderful jam or tea which is luxurious.
Using Rose water and drinking of delicious herbal rose petal tea has variety of physical health. It can help immune system boost, benefit for skin and hair, improve digestion, can help calm stress.
The flavour of roses is distinct and immediately recognizable, and it looks as wonderful as it tastes.
Rose petals jam is one of traditional jams between Azerbaijani people. This jam might be made with fresh rose petals or dried ones. In Azerbaijani language rose flower calls ‘ Gezil gul’ . Rose petals jam usually is made in mountains areas of Azerbaijan.
This recipe for making a delicious jam is with dried rose petals.
Ingredients
- 2.1/2 cups water
- 1 cup dried rose petals
- 2 cups sugar
- 2Tbsp lemon/lime juice
- 2Tbsp chopped walnuts
Preparation
In a dry pan, roast dried rose petals for 2 minutes, stir constantly until get crunch. Set aside. Place the water in a sauce pan. Bring the water to a boil. Pour 1 cup of boiled water over the roasted rose petals.
Cover it with a lid and let to rest and become soft for 1 hour.
Stir sugar in the remaining of boiled water and bring it to a boil again. In this step, add freshly squeezed lemon juice, simmer until syrup become thick and reduce to half.
Then, add rose petals to the syrup and continue to simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn the heat off. Place a kitchen towel over the lid of the pot and let steam on it’s own and cool off. The towel will catch the moisture.Add chopped walnuts to the cool rose jam. You can add pinch of cardamom as well (it’s optional).
This tasty jam with silky texture and chopped walnuts in, has a unique flavour. Might be used for garnishing ice cream, cake, Persian rice flour pudding (Fereni) or spread on bread with butter or clotted cream and a cuppa tea. Soooooooo good.
