Rose Hydrosol, California

I walked many seasons in the unforgiving Sacramento heat before finding wild California roses, ephemeral as they were. Softly perfumed petals yield for only a few weeks before the summer heat returns to dry petals and flower buds on resinous branches gnarled by time and a desire to be unencumbered by civilization far from chaparral regions. I watched its cycle of plant life for a full year, noting the differences between California and Canadian wild rose, planing how I would distill its delicate cadence with the spring. Harvesting is tedious as petals are want to self destroy and remain a ghost of their initial aroma. I obeyed their fussiness yet questioned my capability to extract them well and to provide enough for those fellow lovers of the wild rose. I distilled in fractions, offering only the first and most potent hydrosol as homage to the rarity and scarcity of this member of the rose family. I imagined the hips I’d collect in the fall after the first frost that would become another hydrosol, perhaps jam or even rosehip ketchup like my mother made when I was small. I collected at dusk as many times as the blooms allowed until they’d had enough and the bees had had their fill and spring morphed into summer. As winter solstice is almost upon us, I offer a precious water of wild roses to remind that the bees will return and spring is not far behind.

Shelf life: approximately 6 months. Refrigerate to prolong freshness.

Packaged in 6 oz/60 ml tamper proof refillable glass bottles.

Our hydrosols are kept in dedicated refrigeration until shipped.