FAQ Rose water

NOROHY organic rosewater is the closest thing to a natural rose you can use to perfume your recipes. It is made from organically grown Damask roses, hand-picked in Bulgaria.

In the heart of Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, these flowers are grown biodynamically and meticulously harvested by hand. 90% of the world’s production of Rose Damascena comes from Bulgaria. This traditional Bulgarian know-how combines flower cultivation and distillation.

Damask or Damascena roses are hand-picked in the early hours of the morning to preserve their aromas. A few hours later, the first distillation takes place a few kilometers from the plantation.

NOROHY rose water is ideal for flavoring savory and sweet recipes. NOROHY has co-developed this recipe with renowned chefs, and has created it with gastronomy professionals in mind. It is now available in 750 ml for pastry chefs, chocolatiers, ice-cream makers, restaurateurs and caterers. NOROHY organic rosewater is also available in 225 ml for craftsmen and individuals.

As a floral water, rosewater is a photosensitive liquid. Exposure to light alters some of its aromatic compounds, impairing its organoleptic qualities. To reduce the risks, it is advisable to store floral water away from light. NOROHY has therefore opted for an opaque blue bottle rather than a transparent one for better UV protection.

Like all floral waters, rosewater is rich in water. This implies a real microbiological sensitivity. So, to reduce the risk of mold growth, especially after opening, NOROHY has chosen to add 0.1% citric acid. Citric acid acts as a preservative and acidifier. It is the only one authorized in organic products. This is due to its natural presence in citrus fruit. It does not alter the taste of rosewater, and is odorless.

Rose essential oil may take on an orange hue over time. This process does not affect the aromatic qualities of rosewater, which remains perfectly usable. For this reason, be sure to respect the consumption limits indicated on the bottle.

Rose water should be kept away from light (photosensitive liquid) and at 4°C before and after opening. Consume within weeks of opening.

Traditional rosewater contains a minimum of 300mg/L of essence, according to current regulations. This means that there are 300 mg of rose essential oil per liter of rose water.

NOROHY has opted for a second distillation to concentrate almost twice as much of our rose water in essence. As a result, the content guaranteed on the bottle corresponds to the rose essential oil content at bottling. It is therefore an indicator of the aromatic power of rosewater. This content is guaranteed by analyses carried out on each batch. It is inscribed on each bottle of the batch, next to the letter (H).

While this content varies from batch to batch, it is generally between 82 and 150 mg/L.

NOROHY rosewater is microbiologically sensitive. Exposure to heat increases the risk of microbial contamination, especially when the bottle is opened. To limit this risk, store the bottle at 4°C, away from light, especially after opening. You should also respect the storage time before and after opening. So, if mold does develop, perhaps you didn’t observe all these steps… In any case, mold makes it unfit for consumption.

The aromatic compounds in rosewater are volatile and degrade at high temperatures. As a result, once the bottle is opened, the rose essence content guaranteed at bottling gradually decreases.

To limit this natural phenomenon, we recommend closing the bottle tightly after use. Store rosewater in a cool (4°C), dark place for up to 3 months.

Strict regulations govern product naming in France.

Rose aroma is a general term that encompasses all products designed to scent with roses, whether natural or synthetic. It can be a flavoring substance combining several fragrant molecules, such as rose essential oil or floral water.

Natural aromas, on the other hand, are derived from nature, but not necessarily from roses… They may come from other plants that can be used to evoke the aromas of roses, or to extract similar aromatic molecules.

Finally, natural DE rose aromas give off the scent of roses and are extracted directly from this flower.

This is particularly true of essential oil and rose water. Both are produced by distillation. The flowers are immersed in boiling water. The steam captures the aromatic molecules and carries them to the distillation column. Condensation caused by the temperature difference between the boiling water and the column outlet transforms this water vapor into a liquid. By decantation, this liquid separates into two parts: rosewater and essential oil. Although they have different densities, both are derived from the distillation of fresh flowers.

Highly concentrated essential oils require specific knowledge (dosage, interactions, etc.) for use in food.

The floral water still contains drops of essential oil, giving it an intense fragrance without being overpowering, and can easily be used in pastries, chocolates, ice creams and savory dishes.

Of course, NOROHY has some tasty recipes to inspire you!

Rosewater is often paired with raspberry, red berries or lychee. However, it also goes wonderfully well with dairy products (cream, ice cream, yoghurt, milk, burrata, fromage blanc…). Indian and Oriental cuisine make it an essential ingredient.

As a natural liquid flavoring, organic Bulgarian rosewater is easy to incorporate into liquid preparations. NOROHY recommends 30 to 50 g of organic rosewater per kilo of preparation for floral, gourmand notes.

However, if your recipe is intended for high-temperature baking (between 170 and 220°C), NOROHY recommends increasing the dosage for an intense aroma. Don’t hesitate to enhance your baked creation with a soaking syrup or glaze. You can also spray a few drops of rosewater at the last minute to enhance the flavors after baking.

NOROHY works to facilitate the use of natural flavoring raw materials for gourmet recipes. We strive to develop the most virtuous recipes possible, staying as close as possible to the raw material, with the utmost respect for the environment. The majority of our products are organically grown. This is particularly true of our certified organic rose water. This label guarantees that at least 95% of our ingredients are organically grown. With this label, you have the guarantee :

• no use of chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, etc.);
• sustainable management of cropping systems;
• that our orange blossom water contains no synthetic products: flavors and additives must be natural.
• that our orange blossom water is GMO-free.
• no ionizing radiation treatment (particularly for sterilization).

There is no clear regulatory definition of Clean Label. This movement consists of reducing the list of ingredients in a product to the strict minimum. This usually excludes additives such as preservatives, flavor enhancers and acidifiers.

While we strictly observe this rule for our ingredients, we have nevertheless agreed to incorporate 0.1% citric acid into our rose water. This ingredient, found naturally in citrus fruits, is the only preservative and acidifier authorized in certified organic products. Its purpose is simply to reduce the microbiological risk, for better preservation of our floral waters.

Catering professionals can order our rose water from their Valrhona Selection sales representative or from Valrhona-selection.fr. Chocolatiers, ice-cream makers, patissiers and restaurateurs benefit from packaging and delivery options tailored to their activity.

For consumers, NOROHY organic rose water is available on the Valrhona Collection website, at the Cité du Chocolat boutique -Tain l’Hermitage, Drôme 26- in fine grocery stores and from other distributors of quality pastry ingredients.