Drying Rose Petals

I love the roses in our garden, but they bloom so rapidly, I can't keep up!  I hate to see them go to waste and love to extend their fragrant lives a little further. I love the rich colors that are achieved! Keep the dried variety in a bowl on your bathroom counter or use them for various crafts around the house.  

 

Start by using mature roses in full bloom.  Cut them off the bush just as you would for cutting



Carefully pull the petals off right at the base of the stem. Discard the stem and leaves.



Place the petals in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate.  Place in the microwave for 60 seconds



Here's what they look like after a minute.  Still quite a bit of moisture in the petals.  Put them back in the microwave for an additional 60 seconds.


Getting there!  The larger petals needed a bit more nuking, another 30 seconds.  



The petals are done when they are hardened and no moisture is left.



Allow the petals to dry an additional 24-48 hours on a cookie sheet



Store in a covered jar until ready to use.