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Simmering Potpourris potpourri home | potpourri tools | potpourri formulas | simmering potpourris To simmer potpourri, steam as desired using the popular simmer pots which use candle heat or electric steamers that resemble little crock-pots. You can also place your simmering potpourri in a pot and heat on a stove, hot plate, hot water register, or possibly a kerosene heater. Place two tablespoons of potpourri in two or more cups of water, allow to simmer or steep slowly and enjoy the vapors that waft aromatic scents throughout the air. Be sure the water doesn't evaporate while heating. Most steaming potpourris can be reused two or three times. Drain the water away and allow air to circulate over the herbs and spices, then repeat your simmering process. Never leave your simmering potpourri unattended, and keep it out of reach of small children. In addition to directly placing your potpourri blend in water, you can place a small amount in a bag which can then be simmered in water. Little bags of simmering potpourri make excellent gifts. Calico or muslin with a drawstring made of string or narrow ribbon are attractive. Attach a little tag with instructions to enhance the gift. Simmering potpourris can be made in the same manner as the decorative floral varieties with just a few simple adjustments in botanical selections. The opportunities to be creative are again numerous. Materials used in making simmering potpourris include herbs, spices, flowers, fragrant seeds, fruit peels, and oils, and are selected primarily on the basis of their fragrance. There are basic decisions to make when you concoct your own "scented brew". First think about the room in which you would like to use your potpourri and decide what effect you would like to achieve. You may want your kitchen to smell like grandma's gingerbread or your bedroom to be scented with fruit and flowers. The time of year may also influence your decision. For a special holiday such as Christmas you may want to create a traditional blend using spices, balsams, and fresh pine. After you've decided on the mood for your simmering potpourri, your next step is to experiment with various botanicals to determine which ones you would like to use in your blend. A microwave oven can be helpful at this point. Using small oven-proof dishes such as custard cups, individually heat to a simmer one or two tablespoonsful of a wide variety of spices and herbs. The vent behind a microwave will carry steam into the room and enable the crafter to test the aromas that permeate. Allow each scent to clear the air before testing a new selection. Write down the aromas you prefer, recording a description of the fragrance with a brief statement. The same test method can be done on a stove top with pots and pans. The following list contains some of the more fragrant herbs, spices and seeds you can use in your simmering potpourri:
Next, you need to combine the essential and fragrance oils with a fixative. Doing this will allow the potpourri to retain its scent and slowly release the aroma during steaming. Good choices for a fixative include orris root, cellulose pieces, or apple pieces and citrus peels. Place the fixative in a glass jar and sprinkle the oils over the top. Cover and shake. Allow this to set a day or two so the fixative can fully absorb the oils. When using apple pieces, you can increase the spice scent of the potpourri by adding a powdered spice blend to the fixative and oils. Shake well, and allow to set a day or two. The following is a good spice blend to try: * 1 part ground cinnamon After the fixative has set for a day or two, combine it with your dry bulk ingredients. Store the potpourri in a glass jar or other covered container that has a nonabsorbent surface. Shake the jar frequently during the next two weeks. Allowing the oils to permeate the herbs and spices gives the mixture a more intense aroma in simmering form. When the aging is complete you will have a home fragrance potpourri ready to simmer in your favorite steamer. Enjoy! Simmering Potpourri Recipes Spicy * 3 1/2 cups anise star, whole Citrus * 1 cup cinnamon sticks, whole, 1" Floral * 1 cup rosebuds and petals, pink Fruity * 1 1/2 cups orange peels, cut and sifted, 1/2" - 3/4" |
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