[Sca-cooks] Orris (how to make it)

[Barbara Benson]

Greetings,

I apologize for getting into this discussion so late. I assumed I did not
have anything to contribute. But it just so happens that Iris's are one of
my passions and have been since I was a small child in my Great Aunts garden
where she bread and cultiveted the flower to the exclusion of all others.

One of my books has fairly specific instructions on orrisroot. the excerpt
below is from "The Iris, the Rainbow Flower" by Josh Westrich and Ben R
Hager. (Incidently and according to this text, the iris is called the
rainbow flower because it is the only flower that has both a true black and
a true white flower form).

"Nowadays orrisroot, produced from dried iris rhizomes, is still harvested
on a large scale in Italy. Iris florentina used to be grown commercially for
this purpose but Iris pallida now seems to have taken its place. In fact the
rhizomes of almost any tall bearded iris can be used to create an
intriguingly fragrant powder....To obtain best results, it is necessary to
break open or cut open a rhizome and smell the freshly opened surface. If
the scent is attractive, set aside some of the rhizomes of the cultivar for
further treatment.."
"It is not difficult to produce orrisroot provided various steps are taken.
Firstly, the rhizomes have to be dug up and peeled. For those with sensitive
hands, rubber gloves should be worn. As far back as 350 BC Theophrastus
warned that rhizomes could cause rashes. After the rhizomes have been sliced
thinly, they should be dried in a warm, dark place for approzimately one
year. It is not a good idea to use a fuel-produced heat which ruins the
final smell. Alternatively, the rhizomes may be hung out to dry on lines, a
method followed by the early Greeks. When the sliced rhizomes have dried
thoroughly, they should be ground to a powder. A food blender works very
well for this task. Finally, the powder should be place in covered dishes
with a vent-hole or in cloth bags in a position where the scent can be
enjoyed. The perfume will last for three or four years depending on the
rhizome used."

Hopefully you will find this helpful.

Glad Tidings,
Serena da Riva