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You can make rose water by simmering rose petals in distilled water until just half the water is left. Commercially, it is made by distillation. It is used in cosmetics and in cooking. Indian food, for instance, will use rose water in some recipes. It was widely used to flavour baked goods, until vanilla extract started to become popular and affordable in the mid 1800s.

Cooking Tips
If you bought rose water for Indian food and are looking for ways to use up the rest, consider sprinkling a small amount on fruit salads or fresh fruits such as strawberries that you are serving. Some apple pie recipes have you sprinkle a tablespoon of rose water on top the apples.

History
As the Roman empire sank into decadence (but oh, what a decadence it was!), some Emperors would use rose water to fill their baths and fountains. Some peasants were ordered to grow roses instead of food, to meet the demands of the imperial courts. In 17th Europe, rose water could be used as legal tender in some places.

Also called:

See Also:

Rose Hips, Vanilla Extract

Other entries for:

Flavourings
Ambergris, Baker's Caramel, Bisto, Bovril, Extracts, Kitchen Bouquet, Lemon Oil, Liquid Smoke, Liquorice, Monosodium Glutamate, Neroli, Orange Flower Water, Osmanthus, OXO, Quassia Wood, Rose Water, Screw Pine, Vanilla

Related Recipes

Shaker Applesauce Cake with Rosewater Frosting, Shrewsbury Biscuits