NER: What does rose water do in a recipe?

bunnybean

What does it taste like? ?What does it do?

jessawakawaii

good question. also, where do you get it? or are you supposed to make it?

mysterons

According to wiki, it's used in cookies, tea, ice cream and candy and has a "distinct" flavor.

EastSideFluffy

I just went and smelled my bottle.  It smells like roses and sugar.  I used it in my rose geranium cookies (which I don't recommend btw).  But, I think it's used in desserts to add a floral flavoring.  I've got a recipe for rose panna cotta that is basically panna cotta with rose water instead of vanilla extract...if you can imagine what that might taste like.

 

Sibil

It's used in a lot of middle eastern and indian type foods.  I've never missed it in a recipe.  I know that my favorite savory spice shop sells it, but it's never seemed worth buying.

bunnybean

Hmm, ok, thanks!

The American Girl talk got me remembering Felicity's Shrewsbury Cakes, so I looked up a recipe. ?It contains rose water. ?

*Hangs head in shame*?

Sibil

Wow. That's definitely into obsessive territory.  I only read a couple of her books.  I don't think they came out until I was too old to sneak them from my sister.

bunnybean

Sibil:

Wow. That's definitely into obsessive territory.? I only read a couple of her books.? I don't think they came out until I was too old to sneak them from my sister.

Hey hey HEY. ?Don't you judge me, missy! ?I think you're a bit older than I am, so that makes it okay! ?Felicity was launched when I was 9, and I lived very close to Williamsburg, VA and went to her big opening. ?And she had red hair like me. ?She was my favorite. ??

Sibil

Yeah, I'm 2 or 3 years older than you.  I wasn't judging, just explaining why I didn't read enough of those to remember any of that type of detail.

bunnybean

I know, I'm just teasing. ?I probably read her books 80 times. ?I'm a book repeater. ?

WinesNotWhines

It smells and tastes very floral... like, well, roses. It's best to use it in moderation. A little goes a long way. I've eaten a lot of desserts with rose water in them - it's very common in Persian cuisine. The flavor has definitely grown on me.

AlisaS

It was also a popular flavoring in America in days gone by. Laura Ingall's mother used it in Laura's wedding cake. In the days when vanilla was expensive and foreign.

It has a light taste - actually quite good.

LittleMissWifey

I'm not a fan. I used it in a cookie recipe, exactly the amount called for, and the cookies tasted like soap. I think the flavor is too pungent for food and also too reminiscent of a bath product. If you are still intrigued, you can find rose water at natural food stores in the beauty aisle (which should tip anyone off that rose water should be smelled, not consumed). JMO.

doctorwho

I got some as a wedding gift from a guest of my mom's cousin at my wedding who played an aboriginal flute after dinner (it was really beautiful), then commandeered the mic to give a speech and tell a joke that involved bestiality.  Everyone was mortified (especially my cousin).  DH and I could not have been more entertained.  It was awesome.

Anyway, the rosewater is sitting on the bathroom shelf.  I've not been bold enough to use it as a flavoring. 

TeamC

I don't cook, like at all, but it was a staple in my Arab grandmother's kitchen.  Mostly used for desserts and teas.  Ever since I learned that roses were edible, I actually eat them every time I get one.  It drives MH nuts.  That's what rose water tastes like, only liquid form. 

EastSideFluffy

TeamC:

Ever since I learned that roses were edible, I actually eat them every time I get one.  It drives MH nuts.  

LMAO!