Orange blossom water is mainly used as a flavoring in desserts, baked goods, drinks and the like, but can also be used as a home fragrance.
In addition, you can use orange blossom water as a skincare product; it makes your skin silky smooth when added to bath water, for example.
In this article, we have gathered a number of different uses for orange blossom water so you can easily find inspiration for using it at home.
Where can I buy orange blossom water?
Orange blossom water is not usually available in supermarkets, health food stores, etc. You may be lucky enough to find it in a specialty store, but you'll typically have to pay a premium price. We recommend the orange blossom water below because it is 1) organic, 2) high quality and 3) reasonably priced.
7 ways to use orange blossom water
1. Orange blossom water in the bath
Mix the following together:
- 3 cups warm milk
- 3 tbsp. honey
- 1/4 cup orange blossom water
Add the above mixture to the bath water when you take a bath.
The mixture makes your skin soft as silk because orange blossom water is extremely good for the skin when mixed with other nourishing ingredients such as honey and milk.
Orange blossom water is especially suitable for oily and sensitive skin. It reduces redness and irritation, which is one of the reasons why it is also used in some baby products (e.g. soaps and lotions).
2. Home fragrance
Because orange blossom water has a distinctive scent, it can be used to give your home a light, fresh and pleasant orange scent – like a scented candle, scented lamp, incense stick, air freshener or similar.
To achieve this effect, simply add a little orange blossom water to a bowl of boiling water and leave the bowl in the room you want to scent.
As orange blossom water has a slightly calming effect, it can also be used as a scent in the bedroom.
3. Desserts
Orange blossom water is probably best known for its rich applications in various desserts.
In principle, you can use orange blossom water in almost all kinds of desserts, but creamy, milky or creamy desserts are particularly suitable.
In addition, orange blossom water is very useful in chocolate desserts such as chocolate cakes or chocolate mousse.
A great and extremely simple way to make a dessert with orange blossom is to buy plain vanilla ice cream from the supermarket, let it thaw slightly (until soft) and mix a few drops of orange blossom water into the ice cream. Refrigerate and serve – you now have vanilla ice cream with a special orange flavor.
4. Strawberries and apricots
Just like rose water goes well with raspberries, orange blossom water goes really well with strawberries and apricots.
Orange blossom water can therefore be added to almost any dish with strawberries and/or apricots (such as pies, compotes, drinks, jams, etc.).
You can also keep it simple and just add a few drops of orange blossom water to a bowl of fresh strawberries or apricots.
5. Citrus
Almost all citrus-based foods and drinks can have their flavor enhanced by orange blossom water. Examples include orange juice, lemon pie, marmalade and the like.
It can also be as simple as a glass of water with lemon spiced up with a little orange blossom.
6. Salads
Orange blossom water can be added to salads that consist entirely of vegetables.
The orange blossom gives the salad a unique flavor nuance that is very different from the usual taste of, for example, “boring” green salad.
Similarly, it can also be used in raw vegetables; a simple raw vegetable of grated carrots and raisins, for example, becomes much better with the orange blossom.
7. Baked goods
Orange blossom water is very useful in baked goods, where – as in desserts, for example – it gives a light and pleasant orange flavor.
Orange blossom water is especially used in baked goods in France, where it is added to brioches, madeleines, etc.
You can also add the orange blossom water to pancakes, waffles, etc.