The Herb of the Year is getting great press this year. Lots of magazines have articles, mentions in others and lots of herb, garden and roses societies are having special foods and events built around the Rose. Here are 2 books (besides mine) you will definitely enjoy. The first, from the International Herb Association, and available by mail. (To order it, contact Susan Belsinger: sbcooks@susanbelsinger.com). It's a hefty book, full of recipes, uses, growing information and lots more.
Rose, Herb of the Year, from IHA.
The second, is the rose book produced by the Herb Society of America, which every year celebrates the International Herb Association's official Herb of the Year with their own book. It's available to members of HSA, as well as to non-members, too. To order it, go to the HSA website where you can order it on-line. It is also full of great recipes, tips and lots of information about this remarkable herb.
Rose book from the Herb Society of America.
My little book, How to Eat a Rose, is in its 5th printing. You can order it as a downloadable book from my website, or as a book we mail to you, either one. I'm offering copies wholesale to rose, garden and herb groups for resale to members or for fundraisers. Contact billie@longcreekherbs.com for details about ordering wholesale for your group.
Rose cakes, sorbet, ice cream, cookies, drinks and more.
And check out my YouTube channel for videos, including this newest one about what roses to eat and which ones to avoid.
Imagine roses and mint together in a salad of fresh greens. Add some raspberries, feta or blue cheese crumbles, some pecans and balsamic dressing. Now there's a salad!
Flower market in New Delhi.
I visited a flower market in New Delhi. Notice the long-stemmed roses on the right. Their stems are so long (between 28 and 30 inches) they almost reach the guy's waist. My friend who was with me bought one of the bunches - they're bundled 100 to a bunch - for $1. The prices get cheaper the later it is in the morning. Still, think what those premium grade long-stemmed roses would sell for in the U.S. on Valentine's Day! Just remember, don't eat roses from a florist, they've been heavily sprayed several times with chemicals to get them to produce those beautiful flowers. But you don't want to eat those chemicals.
Long-stemmed roses in Acapulco, Mexico.
Above, long-stemmed roses in the produce market in Acapulco. Because it's a tourist area with lots of hotels and restaurants, the prices are higher than in India, but still way below the cost in the U.S.
But if you have non-sprayed, edible roses, this cake is delicious. You'll find it and other recipes by searching older posts on this blog. Or all of my recipes are available in my How to Eat a Rose book, from my website. And see my video on what roses are safe to eat, here.
