The medicinal benefits of orange blossom water are huge as they range from controlling blood pressure, inflammation, to improve any menopausal symptoms as well.
While orange blossom water is beneficial of its own accord, there are quite a few substitutes of the medicinal liquid.
The substitutes might not have the same medicinal properties as that of the orange blossom water, but can act in the same way for temporary use.
The orange blossom water substitutes are easily found due to their availability and ease of extraction.
To know more about the orange blossom water substitutes and how to attain them, keep reading!
What is Orange Blossom Water?
Orange blossom water is made from the leaves and petals of an orange tree, which means there are basically no compounds derived directly from oranges.
It’s renowned for the health and skin benefits it possesses; it is a natural way of treating any health issues that you might have.
Over time, orange blossom water can be used to relieve anxiety and stress, leaving you in a stable mental space.
In addition to these benefits, beauty experts have been using orange blossom water as a facial toner to get rid of dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling refreshed and energized.
Different Uses Of Orange Blossom Water
Orange blossom water goes well with all of the things that normally go with oranges.
Following are some essential uses of orange blossom water.
You can take an orange blossom bath by Mixing 2-3 cups of warm milk, 3 Tablespoons of honey, and 1/4 cup of orange blossom water in your bath water.
Many folks use it as hand freshener and natural room scent.
There are also different uses of orange blossom water in cooking. You can use it in pudding and ice cream.
Orange blossom is also going well when mixed into white chocolate-based sauces and desserts.
You can pair it with cream to make a tasty tart filling.
You can also use orange blossom water in various fruit desserts. It paired well with strawberries, raspberries, etc.
It is an excellent pairing for apricot–tarts, compotes, jams, cakes, drinks.
Orange blossom is not just used for desserts but also is used in small quantities in savory prepared foods.
Orange Blossom Water Substitutes
There are several orange blossom water substitutes, which shall serve as natural ingredients for any recipe that you wish to serve.
These substitutes shall act as your best friends when it is hard to find the actual orange blossom water.
Orange Oil
Orange oil is extracted from an orange directly.
In other words, it contains all the vitamins and benefits of that of an orange.
Orange oil is one of the main orange blossom water substitutes since it is readily available and acts a duplicate in terms of health benefits as well.
Use orange oil in your recipe for that added oomph and flavor, or mix it with other ingredients to use as a face mask.
However, it’s crucial to remember that orange oil is a very concentrated compound- a little goes a long way.
For a recipe that needed a tablespoon of orange blossom water, one or two drops of orange oil is sufficient.
Orange Zest
The outmost layer of an orange peel contains vital nutrients that can prove to be your life savers in terms of health care.
The orange zest is made from this layer containing all the essential oils and good bacteria.
The zest proves to be yet another beneficial orange blossom water substitute, as it replicates the medicinal benefits of the blossom water as well.
Furthermore, adding orange zest to your recipe adds that kick of tanginess you want to make your daily consumption more fun!
Orange zest might not be the perfect replacement for orange blossom water in all recipes; the zest is applicable mostly for desserts.
The wiser decision would be to go through your recipe beforehand and reviewing if orange zest is applicable for your creation or not.
Orange Extract
If you’re into lighter cooking, orange extract is the ideal option for you.
As the name suggests, it is basically extracted from orange and mixed to different recipes for the health benefits.
For the skincare junkies, orange extract can be mixed with lighter ingredients as a peeling mask as well.
While the orange extract is very similar to orange oil, it is a much lighter orange blossom water substitute; it is mostly used in baking and desserts for a tangy touch.
In addition to these, it isn’t a concentrated compound so you can use copious amounts of it for the flavor you wish to achieve.
Orange Liqueur
If you’re okay with alcoholic replacements for orange blossom water, orange liqueur shall suffice for you.
The liqueur is perfect for light recipes that shall not be consumed by children in the family.
Even though there aren’t medicinal benefits to this orange blossom water substitute, it can be used as a temporary solution to the tangy flavor you’re craving.
Remember to mix it with sugar before adding it to your recipe, or else the taste might seem too bitter for your likes.
Rose Water
While the flavor might be rose-like instead of tangy, rose water is a renowned orange blossom water substitute.
Not only does rose water have the potent distillation and medicinal benefits, but can improve your skin as well.
Several companies use rose water in their face masks as a vital ingredient; the extraction helps rejuvenate your skin and make it glow from within.
With that being said, a majority of people wouldn’t want their food to taste like roses- make sure to check with your family members before adding this as an ingredient to your desserts.
It’s crucial to realize that rose water is heavily concentrated, similar to orange oil.
Thus, using it in copious amounts might not be the best decision.
Orange Flavor Enhancements
Supermarkets these days offer flavor enhancements, to relieve you of the stress of balancing separate ingredients.
While orange extracts and zests might be bitter for your desserts and need to be added with sugar, the orange flavor enhancements are sweet on their own.
However, they aren’t too sweet- making them an ideal replacement for orange blossom water in your recipes.
With that being said, the flavor enhancements are only a replacement considering the taste and not the health benefits.
Orange Bitters
Orange bitters are made by mixing the rind and zest of an orange with alcohol; this is another alternative you have to keep away from children.
The orange bitters have spices mixed in them as well, making it an orange blossom water substitute with some more flavor.
It might not be the best replacement in terms of health care, but can be used for your recipes inducing the flavor.
Cherry Extract
The intense flavor of cherry extract helps to deem it as an orange blossom water substitute, giving you a kick in your desserts.
If you’re okay with switching up the taste of your recipe a little, adding cherry extract instead of orange blossom water might do the trick for you.
However, all recipes do not sit well with cherry extract so it’s wise to has a taste test before adding it to the main pan.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extracts are a must when it comes to desserts and sweet recipes.
If your aim to use orange blossom water was the taste for delicious desserts, vanilla extract can be a sweet replacement.
It ensures you dessert has that perfumed and lucrative essence of vanilla, making your loved ones drool over whichever dessert you add this to.
Almond Extracts
Almond is a great alternative to the health and skin benefits that orange blossom water offers.
Almond extracts help you think better, improve your blood pressure levels, and help your skin grow.
It is an ideal orange blossom water substitute in terms of the medicinal advantages.
Bonus Recipe: Orange Blossom Water
Making Orange Blossom Water is very much easy. You can make it at home easily by following ways.
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups packed orange flower blossoms
2 cups distilled water
Sterilized jars
Process:
1.Crush the orange blossoms using a mortar and pestle till it becomes a paste. Allow it to sit for 2 hours.
2. Mix the petal paste and distilled water in a Ball jar. Stir it well and cover it properly. Allow it to sit for 2 weeks.
3. Strain the blossoms from the water and add the water to the sterilized jars.
Where to Buy Orange Blossom Water?
You can easily find Orange Blossom Water in Middle Eastern grocery stores and at Whole Foods.
You can also find it online at Amazon – We recommend the orange blossom water from Cortas.
Cortas Orange Flower Water is extracted from bitter orange blossoms.
You can use it to flavor drinks and desserts, dress salads, sprinkle it on fruit, flavor batters.
If you want to make your own orange blossom water at home using petals, you can buy dried petals from Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Orange blossom water is known for its healthy properties and tangy flavor, but it is a rare component to find at all times.
In tough times like these, the orange water substitutes come in handy- some for the flavor and some for the beneficial components.
Spread this article and help you loved ones out!
Related Articles:
