Orange Blossom Water

Flowers of the bitter orange trees are picked in early spring to prepare the orange blossom water, following a traditional water distillation process.

The petals are separated from the green parts of the flower and are put in an alembic with twice their volume of water. The mixture is heated, first at high temperature then gradually down to a very low heat towards the end of the distillation. The steam, carrying the perfume and the essences of the flowers, rises through the tubes of the alembic and is then cooled down to condense into the water of the orange flowers, collected in recipients at the end of the circuit.

The orange flower water is then put in bottles and as it still contains the Neroli, the essential oil from the flower, it turns to a yellowish color after some time, and that’s an indication of the good quality of the product.

Orange blossom water is a key ingredient of many Mediterranean desserts and pastries as it adds a very aromatic fragrance to the preparations.

Stir one teaspoon of orange blossom water in a cup of warm water and drink it for a soothing effect and to relieve an upset stomach, in what is commonly called “white coffee” in Lebanon.

You could also try to sprinkle some drops on your pillow for a good night sleep.

Rose Water

Rose water is produced by traditional water distillation of the petals of the Damask Rose variety during the spring season.

The flowers are picked at dawn before the sun could alter their perfume. Petals are separated and placed in an alembic full of water, with 2 liters of water for every 1 kg of petals. The mixture is then heated at low temperature to avoid burning the extremely fragile flowers. The steam is then collected and condensed into the water, which is bottled afterwards.

Rose water is a staple of numerous Mediterranean desserts and pastries. It adds a very aromatic fragrance to your preparations.

Known to contain vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as other antioxidants, you can mix it with a cup of regular water and drink once a day to keep your skin hydrated, or use it even topically to fight skin inflammations and reduce risks of infections.

Pomegranate Molasses

All natural pomegranate molasses is made from pure 100% pomegranate juice. Tart pomegranates are carefully shelled to get rid of the bitter yellow parts of the fruit. The juice is collected, sieved and heated so it reduces and thickens. Almost 7 to 10 liters of tart pomegranate juice are needed to make 1 liter of the pomegranate molasses.

Pomegranate molasses is an essential ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, known for its numerous health benefits. Sweet and tart, it adds a kick to your savory dishes, marinades and dressings. Try it also with creamy desserts like cheesecake or vanilla ice cream for an exotic flavor, but make sure to use 100% natural pomegranate molasses, and not the commercial version that consists of citric acid syrup loaded with sugar, a caramel food coloring, and barely any pomegranate.

Pomegranate has been found to contain more antioxidants than green tea, helping to reduce inflammations and remove free radicals. It's loaded with vitamins C and E, can improve digestion and may even help reduce blood pressure and promote a healthy heart.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Producing olive oil is a thousands of years old tradition, passed from one generation to the next in the villages and mountains of Lebanon. It is indeed a known fact that the Mediterranean basin is the birth place of the olive tree that the Phoenician traders introduced to the coasts of Tunisia’s Carthage, Spain’s Andalusia and Italy’s Tuscany.

Our OFLORALE extra virgin olive oil is fruity with a hot accent and a bit of bitterness, made mainly from the "surani" variety of olives, indigenous to Lebanon. This makes for a very consistent, smooth and balanced quality of oil, where you can taste the earth and all the elements of nature in every drop.

OFLORALE extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed, of low acidity at 0.56% and has a smoking point between 375 – 400 F, making it perfect for everyday use in salads, marinades, grilled meats and vegetables, as well as for sautéing and stir frying.

A staple of the Lebanese cuisine and the Mediterranean diet in general, olive oil is well recognized for its extraordinary health benefits, especially promoting a healthy heart, reduced cholesterol levels, improved body compositions and cognitive functions, to cite just a few.

Apple Cider Vinegar

OFLORALE apple cider vinegar is produced exclusively from the best local varieties of selected apples, carefully grown in the mountains of Lebanon, where the earth and the ideal weather give them a rich flavor and a firm but still juicy flesh.

The apples are harvested and fermented to produce a 100% natural, raw and unfiltered vinegar, at a 5% acidity, with "the Mother" in order to reap the full benefits of the product and keep the flavor intact when used in salad dressings and marinades

It is a known fact now that mixing 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the morning in 16 oz of water and drinking that on an empty stomach helps in controlling appetite during the day and hence contributing to weight management efforts, as well as reducing high cholesterol levels.