Orange blossom

Citrus × aurantium

infusion · flower

Dried bitter-orange flowers, steeped in the calming teas of Austria and Switzerland, and for their scent.

Origin

Mediterranean (bitter orange)

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

One teaspoon of dried flowers per cup, five minutes in barely simmering water, alone or blended with other herbs; then strained. Orange blossom water, for its part, scents pastries and pancakes by the spoonful.

Did you know?

Orange flower water is their distillate: it adds scent, but it is not the flower.