Roses are magnificent, unique flowers with quite the reputation in France. However, they are also well-known across the world. Their intense fragrance is unlike any other, so much so that leading perfumers swear by it. Rose petals are also used in teas and infusions. Rose teas and infusions exude floral aromas that few can resist!
The benefits of rose teas and infusions
The full palette of rose teas
The vegetal, bitter notes of tea can be soothed by the sweet fragrance of rose, which can be enjoyed in the Rose Tea by Kusmi Tea. Chinese green tea is rolled in rose petals to create a fresh, hydrating rose tea.
The intoxicating aroma of rose can also be paired with the roundness and sweetness rooibos. The floral blend offers a warm-colored liquor between the red-orange of rooibos and the light pink of rose. Rose petals can also be consumed on their own in infusions. In fact, you can even make your very own rose infusion. Simply pick a beautiful, fresh rose from your garden (avoid flowers that have been treated with pesticides). Remove the petals and place them in a tea filter before leaving them to soak for 3 minutes in water at 90°C/194°F. Then enjoy your infusion and its numerous benefits!
The countless benefits of rose tea
Aside from their flavor, roses, tea, and rooibos are also packed with antioxidants. When prepared as an infusion, roses offer an invigorating beverage. Their pain-killing properties may help with sore throats and ulcers. Rose petals are also filled with mineral salts, which are indispensable micronutrients for your overall bodily heath. Rose infusions are also said to have antioxidant effects thanks their levels of vitamin C that boost your immune system, help with healing wounds, promote healthy blood vessels, have a positive impact on your mood, and even contribute to weight loss! What’s more, the antioxidants play a role in slowing the aging process. What more could you ask for? Just like rose petals, tea also contains health-promoting antioxidants. In a similar way to flavonoids, antioxidants like those found in roses may protect against the negative effects of free radicals, which cause cell aging.
Unlike tea, rooibos (which is still nicknamed “red tea”) contains no caffeine. But guess what? It is also filled with antioxidants! Rose tea can therefore be good for your health and great for your taste buds. Those in the know may also have a soft spot for the Rose de Grasse.
Rose de Grasse, an intensely tempting flower
Perfumery “noses,” growers, locals from the Grasse region, and tourists all agree: Rose de Grasse is truly magical. Both beautiful and deliciously fragrant, it really does live up to its reputation. But where is it from? Its real name is Centifolia, meaning “one hundred leaves.” According to legend, this flower is originally from the Caucasus and was first grown in Europe during the 16 th century. Today, Centifolia roses are present across the pretty town of Grasse in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur département, where 80 tons are produced every year.
Growing and using Rose de Grasse
Picture the scene: entire fields covered with recently bloomed roses, aromas wafting through the streets, and producers sharing their passion through picking workshops, distillation classes, and tasting sessions… No need to pinch yourself, this isn’t a dream. The experience provided by the harvest of Centifolia roses takes place every May in Grasse. Because it is so fragile and delicate, the “May Rose” is picked just after it blooms. It is harvested by hand at dawn before the sun is too hot, using a technique passed down through the generations.
The petals are then processed on site to avoid damaging the flower by transporting it. They provide rose water, essential oils, and can also be candied or preserved. An unforgettable sensory experience. Rose de Grasse grows generous, bright pink flowers with a particularly strong, sweet fragrance, making them perfect for flavoring teas and infusions!
