[xchcui]

Hi.

When making rose hydrosol from rose petals by distillation, Is it necessary to wash the rose's petals before refining? I refer to the homemade method as you may see in the following link: https://bit.ly/2YjxEU7
I would like to exploit as much as possible the fragrance and the taste of the petals rather lose some if washing them with water before the process.

Thanks.

[Borek]

If you don't wash, you risk contaminating the product with whatever was on the petals.

[xchcui]

If you don't wash, you risk contaminating the product with whatever was on the petals.

Hi Borek.

But isn't all the idea of the distillation here is to evaporate
the hydrosol+water and condensed them back,while all the contamination is remaining with the petals solution
on the bottom of the big pot?
And if i will wash the petals before the refining,wouldn't the petals lose from their strength and i will get,since that,less fragrance hydrosol solution?

[Corribus]

Most of the bioactive compounds responsible for rose scent in the essential oil are hydrophobic and would not be removed by a quick rinse in water.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_oil

[Borek]

But isn't all the idea of the distillation here is to evaporate
the hydrosol+water and condensed them back,while all the contamination is remaining with the petals solution
on the bottom of the big pot?

The less contamination, the better the result. If some contaminants can similar boiling point to the fraction you are trying to collect they will get through.

[xchcui]

Most of the bioactive compounds responsible for rose scent in the essential oil are hydrophobic and would not be removed by a quick rinse in water.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_oil

The less contamination, the better the result. If some contaminants can similar boiling point to the fraction you are trying to collect they will get through.

So spending few more minutes to wash the petals
is a must step for better results,while it won't reduce
the strength of the petals fragrance/taste.
Thank you very much,Borek and Corribus,for your help.