Food

Rose Petal Jam Recipe: How to Make Persian Rose Jam

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Aug 9, 2024 • 1 min read

If you have an abundance of rose bushes, use the petals to make rose jam.

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What Is Rose Petal Jam?

Rose petal jam is a sweet condiment made from rose petals. Rose petal jam can be made with either fresh or dried rose petals, and traditionally it is made with the Damask rose (Rosa damascena), a dark pink, fragrant rose. Some rose jam recipes feature chopped nuts or cardamom for added flavor. Rose petal jam is not to be confused with rose hip jam, which is made with rose hips, the fruit that forms after the rose petals have fallen off.

In Farsi, rose petal jam is called morabayeh goleh sorkh (red flower jam) or gulkand (gul translates to “rose” and kand means “sweet”). This ancient Indo-Persian condiment originated in approximately 900 B.C. It was considered a delicacy both because of its time-consuming preparation process and the specialty ingredient of the Damask rose, which only blooms twice a year.

How to Use Rose Petal Jam

Sweet rose petal jam can be used as a spread for scones and leavened flatbreads, such as barbari or sangak. A spoonful of rose petal jam can be used as macaron filling, or as a topping for desserts like shir berenj (rice pudding) and vanilla ice cream.

Rose Petal Jam Recipe

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makes

About 1½ cups

prep time

1 hr

total time

9 hr 20 min

cook time

20 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Using sharp kitchen scissors, remove the thick white tip of each rose petal and cut the petals into small pieces.

  2. 2

    Place trimmed rose petals in a large bowl and cover with cold water.

  3. 3

    Refrigerate the trimmed petals, covered, for 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Using a fine-mesh strainer, drain rose petals and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.

  5. 5

    In a small saucepan, combine sugar, lemon juice, and 2 cups of water.

  6. 6

    Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.

  7. 7

    Add the rose petals, stir, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

  8. 8

    Remove from the heat and stir in the rose water.

  9. 9

    Pour into clean jars and refrigerate overnight.

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