Making Floral Waters: Steam Distillation
This is a cottage business. The back porch is the factory. Distillation to make lavender water is the same process as using a still to make moonshine. Except no alcohol!
Bottom pot is basically a tea kettle…steam goes through the petals, across to the cold water bath, then drop by drop the floral water condenses. Each batch is a pint or a quart. A few drops of essential oil and a few drops of preservative, and straight to the bottle.
The Outdoor still is a lot more work, but necessary for a big batch of lemon balm or rosemary, or when the lemongrass or citronella is ready to distill.
Instead of a hotplate, it uses an induction plate to allow a half gallon batch. Steam extraction creates a colorless fragrant water, so some of the recipes add back a little of the “tea” which is from the bottom kettle. I also make teas from the irises, cherries, and hibiscus in the garden to use for natural coloring.
The purpose of the floral water, is to cover the cost of teaching science in the garden. Soil, seeds, water, sun…time…leaves, stems, petals. Chemistry…distillation, condensation, preservation. Perfume is as old as the Garden of Eden, Bablylon, or Persia. Once a child understands science is natural and beautiful, it’s harder to be careless and easier to be careful and kind. Simple as rose water.
Each bottle of Lavender water or No Bug Spray is a simple way to support this work.