Orange Blossom Special

 A Special Day

Orange Blossoms: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Orange Blossom Day is celebrated annually on June 27.  It would seem to go without saying that orange blossoms are the fragrant flower of the orange tree (Citrus sinensis).  These blossoms have been traditionally associated with good fortune and long been popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths. But, there are others.

Fresh bitter orange (Citrus aurantium)  blossoms are often distilled for their essential oils to make perfume. However, the process also creates a by-product widely used in Middle Eastern, North African, and European cooking: orange blossom water, or orange flower water. The water is pleasantly bitter, like orange peel, but intensely aromatic, and it is thus often used sparingly. While occasionally used in savory dishes, it's more frequently used in sweets such as baklava, the Lebanese rice pudding riz bi haleeb, Moroccan ktefa, and French madeleines and gibassier. The flowers are also used to brew tea.

Finally, I can't read about orange blossoms without thinking of Johnny Cash.