Substitute for Orange Flower Water

[kthull]

I haven't had the time nor the luck finding orange flower water locally and I need it for my wife's birthday dessert. I've seen the following substitutions:

- grated orange zest soaked in sweet white wine for 24 hours; strain and use liquid

- grated orange zest (plain)

- orange extract

I'm not too keen on the first option since nowhere could I find how much wine to use. Second option seems least likely. Third option is hopeful since I can get my hand on extract, but I'd guess I need to dilute it somewhat.

I've never tasted orange flower water first hand, so wouldn't have a way to know if any sub I tried was worthwhile.

If it helps, the recipe calls for 1.5 T of it to be incorporated into about 4 cups worth of filling (whipped cream + pastry cream + vanilla buttercream). 1.5 T of kirsch goes into that as well. It's Herme's Tropezienne dessert.

Of course I procrastinated (plus I've been very busy with my REAL job, leaving no time to play or surf for ingredients) and her birthday is this Saturday so I need to make the cream Friday night.

Thanks!

[Carolyn Tillie]

Orange flower water is quite a distinctive taste that is similar to orange but not quite...

I would recommend the orange extract but only use 1/2 teaspoon to get an orange taste.

[Comfort Me]

I think using orange extract alone will miss the mark. It is, indeed, a distinctive, perfume sort of flavor. If it were me, I'd use 1/2 teaspoon orange extract and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.

[FoodMan]

Kevin-

Where do u live? Maybe you were looking in the wrong stores for the stuff. It should be available in any middle eastern (Lebanese/Syrian) or Indian grocery store. A good brand to look for is CORTAS.

Like Carolyn and Aidan both said Orange Blossom water has a very distinctive taste/flavor that you cannot duplicate. However out of the three options you provided I would try the first one maybe 1/2 cup sweet wine to the zest of one orange. I would also heat the wine up a little to extract more of the orange oil. It would never be the same but it should taste good.

Good luck

Elie

[kthull]

Thanks everyone. I'm in the far northwestern suburbs of Chicago. So close, yet so far away. If it were any other time of the year, I wouldn't be putting in 70 hour weeks at work and I'd have time to check out some of the stores downtown.

I know there's a Whole Foods not too far out of reach and hadn't yet called them. The last time I called looking for an ingredient proved a waste of time, so I don't have too much faith in calling again. And there's Trader Joe's, but even farther away.

<sigh>

[niobe]

i used to be able to get small bottles of it at Treasure Island - 3 oz. blue bottles - with a yellow label- produced in France - it was either in their Middle Eastern or French section- i know there is not a TI near you- but it may not be as obscure as you think- i'd try Whole Foods - even a regular gorcery store if they carry some midestern items- if you had more time, id suggest King Arthur's catalog, Sur la table, or Williams Sonoma

[kthull]

There's a TI not too far from where I work. If I can get the chance, I'll try to swing by there. Thanks for the suggestion!

[winesonoma]

Any decent liquor store should have it. That's where I got mine

[tan319]

Whole foods sounds like a good idea.

[alanamoana]

if you don't get a chance to find the orange flower water before tomorrow, i think a good sub would be:

orange zest

vanilla bean

simple syrup

simmer and allow to infuse

maybe dilute the solution with a little bit of sweet wine or water to taste

[Tracy K.]

They absolutely carry it at Treasure Island. It is a wonderful flavoring...gives a beautiful fragrance to what you're baking...very distinctive.

[jackal10]

It is nothing like orange in taste. Its a very sweet flower frangrance.

Can you get rose flower water? or even a little rose perfume, very dilute?

or omit it enitirely, or use a little light spiceing instread - a grating of nutmeg.

[kthull]

Ok, you've all convinced me to make the time to get the real thing. Whole Foods by my work claims to have it so I'll make a point of running out to grab some.

Thanks again!