Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Monday 24 September 2012

In the name of the rose


Did you see the film? I didn’t. I started watching it one night when, several years after its release, it was broadcasted on television. As it was a windy autumn night, a bit like the weather we are having right now, I found the dark, semi-mystic and often grotesque characters a bit too much for comfort, and I changed channels after only thirty or so minutes.  

That doesn’t change the fact that I love roses (and orchids), in whatever colour they come in, despite the fact that receiving yellow roses from your partner means that he/she is cheating on you. At least that is what I’ve been told. I can’t confirm it though. 

The Loire Valley has some famous rose gardens, and we have visited some of them in the past: Le Chemin des Roses at Doué-la-Fontaine, the Prieuré St. Cosme near Tours, where they have a brilliant orange rose called Louis de Funès after the famous French comedian of Spanish origin, the Château de la Châtonnière near Azay-le-Rideau …
This summer we didn’t visit any rose gardens, but I did bring ‘some’ of the Loire Valley roses home with me. While my friends Mats and Vera were visiting the second part of the Garden Festival of Chaumont, I browsed through the gift shop. Apart from some splendid postcards, which I'm keeping for upcoming special occasions, I bought a bottle of Rose Syrup. It has been sitting in my kitchen cupboard for the last three months, until last Saturday when I opened it to pour some of the pink nectar in a bowl mixing it with plain organic yoghurt and a handful of fresh red berries … the result was heaven, pure heaven; no sugar or other ingredients needed. I wonder if I can get rose syrup in Belgium? Time to investigate …

11 comments:

Jean said...

Rose and redcurrants, no wonder your yoghurt was heavenly !! I have a bottle of rosewater for baking and now you have reminded me I must delve into the kitchen cupboards......

Have you ever been to the festival of roses at Chédigny? It usually takes place in late May or early June and it's a total joy for lovers of roses.

PS, I didn't know about the yellow rose thing.....maybe that's why red ones are the classic gift !!

chm said...

I’m not superstitious because it brings bad luck, so I wouldn’t know about yellow roses. But being born on a Saturday 13 [that was close!], I used to give my mother on my birthday a bunch of yellowish roses called Numéro 13.

Being born on a Saturday explain why I’m so lazy!

Bob said...

Yellow roses mean "joy, gladness, friendship, delight, promise of a new beginning, welcome back, remember me, jealousy, I care." check out this for the meaning of other colors: www.rkdn.org/roses/colors.asp

Also see the bottom, "Roses by the Numbers."

Diane said...

I have some rose hips ready in the garden and I feel like I should get busy and make some rose hip syrup. Trouble id there is just so much else to do :-( Take care Diane

The Beaver said...

Bonjour Cousin

Are you back in VA or still in France ?

Martine

In some middle eastern cuisine as well as indian, they use rose water in their pastries or puddings.

chm said...

Bonjour Cousine,
No, I've been back to Virginia since mid-August.

Autolycus said...

Ah, fond memories of the rose hip syrup of my childhood (a hangover from wartime nutritional policies - it's so rich in vitamin C). It was still being given out in my primary school, usually as something to stir into a boring milk pudding at lunchtime - there's nothing so good as being encouraged to play with your food, for a change!

VirginiaC said...

That rose syrup sounds heavenly...maybe i should try making some.

ladybird said...

Jean, We've been in Chedigny but never during the festival. But even then, it looked very nice. Have a lovely weekend! Hope you didn't suffer any water/flood damage!

Chm, LOL. I know you're birthday is on the 13th. The day I signed the lease of my current apartment in 2010. I'll never forget that.

Bob, Thank you for the link. It changes my whole vision on yellow roses. :) I won't freak out the next time someone offers me a bouquet.

Diane, I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to making rose hip syrup. Good luck ... if you find the time! ;)

TB, I also have a bottle of rose water, which I use in pastries. But that comes as a clear liquid, not a pink syrupy 'gel' that gently blends into the yoghurt.

Autolycus, I'm sure this syrup contains too much sugar to be really good for you, but the taste makes you forget about this side-effect.

Virginia, Maybe you and Diane can send me the recipe, because I would like to try it myself. Have fun!

Louise said...

Martine, I returned from a week in Phuket to find my rose gardens in full spring bloom. My favourite rose is a beautiful apricot coloured one called "Just Joey" . It produces beautiful buds and has a lovely scent.

ladybird said...

Louise, Judging by its colour and scent, it should be perfect for making Rose Syrup. That way, you can enjoy it long after it has wilted.