There is no denying that all flowers are beautiful: roses with their silky, shiny petals, tulips that make any space look cheerful. Flowers , without a doubt, generate something in us.
Is it their colours? Who hasn't felt happy seeing poppies dancing in the wind? Is it the aroma? Or have you not succumbed to a field of Valencian oranges overflowing with flowers?
As farmers we can say that we love everything that the land offers but, as citrus growers, from Campos del Abuelo, we can say without any problem that we have a preference for the orange blossom .
Walking among the orange blossoms of Valencia is something unique . The scent of orange blossom in spring penetrates the lungs and fills the blood with sweetness. You have to see how the bees dive headfirst into the trees and fill the trees with their buzzing.
In this photo you can see how the orange of the fruit combines with the white of the flower and the green of the leaves.
The orange blossom
This flower, with its small white petals, has a citrus, sweet and floral aroma. Not only are they part of the orange growing cycle , they are there to remind us that from the buds come flowers and from the flowers, fruits will come. They are life warning us that the cycle continues.
Throughout the history of mankind, flowers have provided the perfect excuse to write poems, songs, legends and stories. And the orange blossom is no exception.
Its whiteness, for example, is associated with purity and that is why it is used to make bridal bouquets. Today this tradition continues but, in addition, the orange blossom has been added to make wreaths and general ornamentation.
This fragrant, five-petaled flower grows in clusters and is distilled in various ways. Its uses range from the culinary industry to perfumery and cosmetics . It is also considered a medicinal plant.
That's why we like them so much at Campos del Abuelo!
The use of flower derivatives is traditional in the Mediterranean area , and was popularized by the Arabs. In fact, in Middle Eastern cuisine, specifically in Arabic sweets, orange blossom water (one of the distillates) is an essential ingredient.
Arab culture is closely linked to the history of the flower. It was they who gave it its name, since az-zahr in that language means white flower . And not only did they name it, but they also brought orange growers to Spain for the ornamental use of these flowers.
Orange blossoms like warm climates . Considering that the orange cycle is as follows: budding, flowering, setting, growth, ripening and harvesting, approximately 20% of the flowers will set and become fruit.
But, if you want to know more about how the orange arrived in Spain and Valencia, from Campos del Abuelo we recommend that you read this article about Valencian oranges .
Now let's continue to learn about the benefits, uses, derivatives and -no less important- the stories that the orange blossom has to tell.
Derivatives and their uses
It is important to differentiate the uses of orange blossom derivatives for cooking and for perfumery or cosmetics .
In this article we will see three uses:
- Drink it as an infusion , making a tea with the dried flowers of the orange tree, with multiple health benefits.
- Orange blossom water for baking or perfumery obtained by steam distillation of the flower petals.
- Essential oil or Neroli , for cosmetics and perfumery, which is obtained by applying the same extraction method as with orange blossom water, but with volatile solvents.
Let's look at each of them...
Orange blossom infusion
These flowers are not only beautiful and aromatic, but they have great benefits when drunk in tea.
In order to make it, we must first collect the flowers . They do not last more than a month on the tree, so we can harvest them at the beginning when they are just opening their petals to the world or when they are closing.
Then, we will let them dry and, once dry, we can prepare the tea.
Making the infusion is simple , ten flowers are recommended per litre of water. The water has to be boiled, then it has to be poured over the dried flowers and left to infuse for about four minutes.
The benefits of drinking orange blossom tea are as follows:
- It is relaxing , so it is recommended for cases of insomnia, stress or anxiety.
- It is a mild and natural sedative ideal for before going to sleep.
- Improves sleep quality and helps achieve a restful night's sleep.
- It is used to relieve menstrual and headache pain.
- It helps in the digestion process, relieving discomfort. It can also be used for mild stomach pains.
- Regarding the respiratory system, it is indicated for colds and coughs, as it soothes and calms sore throats.
- It has a high iron and potassium content , which helps combat anemia.
- Moisturizes the skin and stimulates the natural production of collagen.
- It is good for cholesterol.
To continue on the path of the white orange flower, we have to continue talking about its benefits but for cosmetics, perfumery and confectionery.
Orange blossom water
Orange blossom water is obtained by distilling the petals of the orange blossom . This distillation results in a clear water with a strong citrus and flower aroma. The taste, however, is somewhat bitter at the end.
For preparations, since it is a very fragrant but also very strong water, it is recommended not to overuse it . Those who know about baking recommend about 5 to 15 ml per preparation.
Here in Spain, orange blossom water is one of the main ingredients for making Roscón de Reyes … Although Christmas is still a long way off, its unmistakable aroma has surely come to mind.
You do have to be careful, though, and make sure that if you are going to use this distillate for baking, it is suitable for consumption and not for cosmetic purposes .
In some cultures, it is used to refresh the face or hands and as a body fragrance . Although for this type of use, essential oil or Neroli is more common, let's get to know it.
Essential oil or Neroli
The essential oil of orange blossom, also known as Neroli, is extracted by distillation of the flower with volatile solvents.
It is an oil with a very concentrated, fine aroma and is expensive to produce, as a large quantity of flowers is needed to obtain a litre of oil. It smells of orange blossom, orange, green leaves and spices, it is honeyed and has a metallic touch at the end.
It is very popular in aromatherapy treatments for its relaxing properties and, if used directly on the skin, it relieves muscle tension. Mixed, for example, with almond essential oil, it becomes an ideal oil for massages. However, if you use oil on your skin, make sure not to expose yourself to the sun.
As with the infusion, if you smell it, it has sedative and relaxing properties . Some people recommend a few drops a day under the nose to increase the feeling of well-being.
It is also widely used for the skin, as when applied it leaves an unmatched shine and luminosity. At the same time it moisturizes and is antibacterial and antiviral .
But not everything is about cosmetics, perfumes and confectionery around the beautiful orange blossom. Its inspiring aroma and fragrant beauty have led it to be the protagonist of a series of stories.
The first thing we will tell you is that the essential oil is also known as Neroli…
Princess Neroli
In 1680, Princess Nerole , called Anne Marie Tremoillei and also known as Neroli, was a spy at the court of Philip V of Spain . She worked for France, her native country, and dealt constantly with the aristocracy.
Among the men and women of Spanish high society, she was renowned not only for being a skilled politician but also for the delicious scent she carried with her wherever she went. Her gloves, clothes and skin had an unmistakable floral scent.
The reason for the aroma that accompanied Neroli was that she used orange blossom essence as her signature perfume . The princess was undoubtedly the one who made the use of the flower essence fashionable and that is why this essential oil is popularly known by her name today.
From the spy and flirtatious princess, we now move on to another story involving orange blossoms.
Oh, but legends are not fairy tales . They are sometimes terrible stories, with tragic endings and deaths, and the story of the orange blossom is no exception…
The legend of the orange blossom
In Granada, Sultan Al Kabul falls in love with a slave girl. She, named Al-Azahar, is denied to him by her parents because she is a minor, but the Sultan gives the order to kill them. In this way, he manages to take the girl to make her his wife as soon as she comes of age.
Xurán, the best architect in Granada, is called by the Sultan to design and decorate the bridal chamber. As soon as the architect passes through the doorway, he is amazed by the palace and the wealth around it. But what really captivates him is Al-Azahar and her black eyes. Then, the inevitable happened.
One afternoon, after exchanging glances and in the silence of the siesta, Xurán and Al-Azahar confessed their love, as reciprocal as it was unexpected. Desperation led them to separate for fear of being seen, but with the promise of meeting again when night fell.
The meeting took place in early spring, a long time ago. The orange trees, still with their buds closed, let their petals explode at the same time as Al-Azahar and Xurán sealed their love, hidden under their branches. Thus, the gardens, the trees, the grass, the palace and the city, were left floating in the aroma of the meeting.
The Sultan, with ears and eyes all over the palace, knew what had happened and killed Al-Azahar with his own hands. His body was then cremated and scattered in the gardens, believing that this would appease the sweet and citrusy scent of the flowers. But it did not happen. Al Kabul lost his sanity, sensing the scent of orange blossom in the air, while Xurán escaped to distant lands.
Al Kabul, blinded by the thirst for revenge, pursued the architect until he cornered him and managed to get him to take his own life. But even though the sultan saw his revenge carried out, he could never again fight off the scent of the orange blossom.
To this day, when the buds burst and a breeze blows in Granada, the aroma that rises is that of lovers who sealed their fate and their love with the kiss of a flower.
To take into account…
Not only are the stories and legends about the flower strong, but so are its properties. Therefore, we make an important clarification: if you are going to use orange blossom, you should consult a specialist.
It has many benefits, but since it is a powerful medicinal plant , it is important to consult with your doctor before using it. It is also not recommended for children under six years of age or pregnant women.
Let's say that, like any medicinal plant, it must be treated with respect. Nature is wise and generous, but we must use what it offers us responsibly and with prior knowledge.
Having made this clarification, let's go back to the beginning. We said that, as Valencian orange growers , we understand the importance of the flower in the orange cycle .
Not only do we appreciate their beauty and benefits, but also the fact that they accompany us year after year to ensure that the best table and juice oranges arrive from the field to your home.
From Campos del Abuelo, we invite you to be part of this relationship with nature by buying seasonal fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer and without post-harvest chemicals .
Until next time and thanks for reading!
