Homemade Rose Petal Jam- a simple delicious recipe made with wild rose petals, perfect on toast, scones or crepes, or spooned over ice-cream or cake.
In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. ~ Khalil Gibran
There is nothing that heals the soul quite like salt water, time spent with friends and Rose Petal Jam. Last week we spent a few glorious days on beautiful San Juan Island with dear friends Tonia Schemmel, her husband Mike and their two kids Zalee and Fin.
Let me just start by saying, this is no ordinary jam. In the past, Tonia has giving me little precious jars of this -which I savor bit by bit and stretch out as long as possible, because to me, each spoonful feels as if it is infused in love. It casts a magical spell over me, filling me with love for the world around me. I kid you not, there are days that have been completely transformed, because of the miraculous effects of this jam.
If you know someone who could use a little extra love, this rose petal jam be the perfect gift. Truly.
Their intoxicating scent melts away all tension.
Once sorted, then they are ready to bring into the kitchen.
I always love being in Tonia’s kitchen – filled to the brim with all kinds of herbs, healing tonics and tinctures. Where ever she is, she seems to find the beautiful essence of what surrounds her, and creates from this place. You can’t help but the get the feeling she is deeply connected with the earth and its cycles, her creative healing energy flowing outward and freely.
She began foraging, long before it was trendy, making all sorts of tonics and elixirs. A true herbalist’s kitchen.
Living on San Juan Island gives her access to the fragrant wild roses that bloom all over the island in May and June, and the making of wild rose petal jam has become her yearly ritual. And I can’t help but feel a little bit of her heart in every batch.
The recipe is surprisingly simple, and highlights the lovely rose flavor.
For this recipe, you’ll need to collect about two cups of rose petals, just lightly packed. Tonia describes this as pressing down on the petals just enough to make a perfectly comfortable “fairy bed”. If I were a fairy, I would be very happy sleeping here.
Or, for more accuracy, weigh out two ounces of fresh petals.
You can also use dry petals ( see recipe) but fresh are preferable.
In a medium pot, bring the petals and water to a simmer.
Add sugar.
And fresh squeezed lemon juice….and watch the lovely transformation happen!
Mix a little pectin with sugar and add to the simmering petals, to thicken.
Simmer 20 more minutes.
Spread the rose petal jam on toasted bread – for a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack. Swirl it into yogurt for breakfast, or top it over oatmeal. Spoon it over pancakes, waffles or crepes. Serve it with fresh warm scones, or over a slice of lemon cake. You’ll find a million uses for Rose Petal Jam, and trust me, you’ll want to try it on everything.
Or spoon it right out of the jar, like Fin!
Sprinkle with fresh rose petals and add fresh berries if you like.
Hope you enjoy this lovely recipe and it’s magical effects.
xoxoxo
PrintRose Petal Jam Recipe
Tonia Schemmel’s Wild Rose Petal Jam, made from wild roses collected on San Juan Island! This homemade Rose Petal Jam is a simple delicious recipe made with wild rose petals – perfect on toast, scones, pastries or crepes or spooned over ice-cream or cake.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 3 jars 1x
- Category: preserved
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: northwest
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups filtered water
- 2 ounces (approx. 2 cups lightly packed or to what would be a perfectly comfy fairy bed) wild rose petals (preferably collected 50 feet from roads and in a pesticide free area)
- 2 cups organic cane sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Pomonas fruit pectin
Instructions
- Place water and roses in a sauce pan. Bring to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add 1 ¾ c of sugar into the simmering petals . Stir to dissolve the sugar crystals.
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Pay attention to the gorgeous vibrant color that emerges.
- Simmer 10 minutes.
- Mix the remaining ¼ c sugar and pectin in a bowl.
- While stirring the jam add the pectin/sugar mixture sprinkle by sprinkle to insure pectin incorporates without clumping.
- Continue to simmer for 20 minutes. It may seem quite loose for jam, it will firm up as it sets but does remain more of a silky syrup with luscious bits of petals.
- This keeps for 2 months in the fridge, also freezes beautifully and canning is always a brilliant option.
- Notes: you can use dried petals…. 1/3 c dried = 1 c fresh (readily available in natural food stores, in the bulk herb section)
Notes
- You do not need to add calcium water to this recipe.
- You can use food grade, dried rose petals, (readily available in natural food stores, in the bulk herb section)
- 1/3 cup dried rose petals = 1 cup fresh rose petals
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 135
Keywords: rose petal jam, wild rose jam, rose recipes, wild rose petal jam, wild rose recipes, recipes with roses, rose jam, rose syrup,
Anonymous says
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Christina says
June 28, 2014 at 6:54 pmWow. This is GORGEOUS. I can’t wait to try it. My parents have a beautiful pink rose bush that’s very fragrant… I’m thinking those would make a nice jam? Do you know by any chance if there are some rose bushes that are ok to eat, and others that aren’t? Or are they all ok as long as they haven’t been treated with pesticides?
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 16, 2014 at 12:49 pmYes, ok to use, as long as no pesticides. 🙂
Sylv Taylor says
September 8, 2014 at 2:20 pmAny roses are fine as long as no pesticides, fragrant ones are those that will flavor the jelly, and the more red in the petals, the darker the jelly.
Anonymous says
March 14, 2016 at 3:07 pmAll roses are ok to eat
Penny says
June 29, 2014 at 1:55 pmThis whole post made me smile. Everything is beautiful from Tonia, her kitchen, the roses to Fin. You have captured a “putting food by” moment that so many people no longer do. Instead of stopping to smell ( and gather ) the roses we rush to the nearest store to grab a jar of jam.
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 16, 2014 at 12:49 pmThanks Penny!!
Elizabeth says
June 1, 2019 at 8:39 amAgreed!!
ceceleskova says
June 29, 2014 at 11:09 pmYour photos are so lovely!! And that jam is beautiful 🙂
Katie @ Produce On Parade says
July 1, 2014 at 9:50 pmThis is absolutely gorgeooous! We have beautiful little wild roses all over here where I live in Alaska. They just tickle my heart! 🙂
Milita says
July 16, 2014 at 12:23 pmDear… I love , love , love your blog 😉
Jenny says
July 30, 2014 at 11:59 amI posted a little bit about the health benefits of roses and a friend mentioned he l o v e d rose jam. I was intrigued and ‘googled’ it. I found YOU!!!! I am over-the-top excited that I did! Your work(?) is beautiful. Thanks for sharing and bringing all this goodness to light! I’m off to pick my rose petals and order more Weck jars!!! Aren’t they lovely as gifts???
JT says
April 22, 2015 at 12:08 amI’m familiar with Pomona pectin & the calcium water that goes with it. However, this recipe did not mention using the calcium water. Was it left out on purpose? Or am I to assume that I do use it in this recipe? And thanks for the beautiful photos!
Sylvia Fountaine says
April 24, 2015 at 3:40 pmSo ….I’m not familiar with calcium water !!:) I know we did not use it in this recipe.
Christina says
June 22, 2015 at 5:35 pmJust in case anyone else is confused and wants to make this, I thought I’d throw my two cents in… Pomona’s pectin won’t actually gel at all without using the calcium water. It’s a low-sugar pectin, which means it doesn’t need a ton of sugar to gel, but it is activated by the calcium instead. So if you don’t use the calcium water, you could also get away with just not adding any pectin at all… you’d get the same results…. not that that’s bad!!! You’ll just get this loose, syrupy jam like in the photo- which is beautiful and lovely! But if you really do want it to set like a jelly, you could use regular pectin- this recipe has enough sugar that it should be ok. 🙂 Anywho, I just made this with regular pectin, and it’s lovely. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 29, 2015 at 2:58 amThanks for the clarification Christina!
char says
September 15, 2018 at 10:49 amhow can we make the calcium water, and how should we mix it with the pectin to get it to be more of a jelly consistency? thank you
Bridget says
May 26, 2015 at 1:09 amSigh. This recipe made my heart sing! Currently licking the pan. I’m so happy to have found another way to consume the aroma of this flower, thank you <3
Anne says
June 28, 2015 at 9:07 pmThank you so much for the recipe! I just made this jam and it tastes divine! I used very light pink garden roses and a bit of bright pink ones, my jam’s color is kind of light brown/pink shade. I used liquid pectin (the one we can get in a regular supermaket here in Sweden), no idea if the jam will thicken (it didn’t while boiling). but it doesn’t really matter now as it tastes so good:)
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 29, 2015 at 2:57 amThanks for sharing!! It should set up and get thicker. All the best to you!!
Linda says
June 30, 2015 at 1:58 pmThis looks heavenly! Such a refreshing treat to transport you into a blissful place!! Thanks so much for sharing your treasures,your pictures are so sweet! Love the little guy eating his jam !!!
bi says
December 29, 2015 at 1:11 amam I allowed to copy paste the recipe text and print it out?
Sylvia Fountaine says
December 29, 2015 at 8:23 amYes, of course…and there should be a print button…I will double check. 😉
Julie Drew says
January 8, 2016 at 4:33 pmI am in Tropical North Queensland,Australia,and Have just discovered this amazingly inspiring page with your recipe which is certainly Fit For Fairies who live at the bottom of my beautiful garden! I have gorgeous roses all year round,even the old fashioned English ones which I still cannot believe do so well here,even with our heat and humidity in Summer !! I do not use any sprays at all on my plants so if the caterpillars want a feast they are very welcome.Let’s face it:no caterpillars means no wondrous butterflies!!!And,as well as ME loving these magical creatures, Fairies need the butterflies to help with their Chariots!!
But Seriously…… I am so thrilled to have found your recipe for Rose Petal Jam,because I hate to let anything go to waste,especially my fragrant rose petals!I have so many dried ones of all colours,simply because I cannot bear to discard them when the flowers are spent! Now I can try something with them apart from my pot pourri which is in beautiful containers throughout the house! I’d never considered using the prettily coloured dried petals for Jam!I can hardly wait to see what the lemon juice might do do the different petal hues!
My Thanks,and many warm smiles, Julie Drew
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
January 11, 2016 at 6:18 amOk, this is the best comment I’ve received yet! Thanks for making me smile Julie!! You warmed my heart. Love the picture you have created in my mind, and someday I would love to see your fairy filled rose garden.xoxo
Julie Drew says
January 11, 2016 at 12:34 pmAaaah,Sylvia!! My job is done! I make a point of making others smiles every day,as smiles are free to give and priceless to receive!
I unfortunately had to stop working 8 years back,due to a very painful illness,so the fairies have definitely kept me happy and sane,whether in my garden or in my extensive collection of old and antique illustrated books.I feel blessed every day that I have so much beauty surrounding me,and having taught myself the basics of computer stuff,my entire world has opened up and I am meeting like-minded folk all over the world,as well as discovering magical things like your Rose Petal Jam recipe!I’d love to send you some photos of my roses one day if this is possible…..
Thank yopu ever so much for your response to my email.In turn you have made ME smile as well!!!
Fondest wishes once again, Julie in Oz
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Sylvia Fountaine says
January 12, 2016 at 4:55 amAhhh, you paint such a beautiful picture with your words. Have you ever thought of writing? I would love to read a story capturing your world. Your antique books make it all the more intriguing. All the best to you Julie!! And Yes, photos are welcome! sylvia@feastingathome.com
Julie Drew says
January 12, 2016 at 9:02 pmThank you dear Sylvia……I am always being asked if I am a writer!!! I do love the written word immensely and have always done the very best I can to ‘paint’ pictures with my comments! Again I thank you so much for your lovely and very kind message.I recently began writing guest posts for a friend’s Blog,and have received so many requests by her readers to start a Blog of my own,so this is something which I do hope to do later this year! I also used to write articles about my various work-places when I was younger,for several magazines,so I suppose the written word is something which has always been here inside me waiting to be released to the masses!
I am truly,extremely HUMBLED by the gorgeous and very positive things which have been said to me about my writing,even if it has only been a simple email I have written!!
I hope that as you read this little note of thanks,you can imagine the lusciously sweet fragrance of the tropical frangipani blooms on all the trees which abound in my street! The air,particularly in the late afternoon and early evening,is redolent of such pure yet simple pleasure!Added to the evening songs of the various tropical birds,this fragrance is like magic to me,so it is little wonder that I can find myself believing in fairies flitting all about the coolness of my fern-and-flower-filled garden!
As ever,I send you my heartfelt smiles as I bid you a fond farewell until the next shared installment! May you find a smile stretching from your mouth to your eyes, Julie in Oz!
★★★★★
Tiffany Schademan says
May 11, 2016 at 10:44 amThis is such a wonderful post! Thank you so much. The pictures help create a wonderful story to go along with the making of the jam.
Could you use honey instead of sugar? Is it a simple swap or would you still need to use some sugar for the pectin? Thank you!!
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 12, 2018 at 7:28 pmThe sugar helps thicken it.
Bianka says
June 21, 2016 at 12:54 pmThe best thing ever! I would never think that I can make a jam from roses…I´ll be doing this every summer since now ,,thank you for sharing with us <3
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Sylvia Fountaine says
June 24, 2016 at 9:14 pmI know, pretty amazing right?!
Shawn says
July 3, 2016 at 3:14 pmThis is so Beautiful! the delicacy of the flavor and the aromatics make it truly wonderful!
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Cathy says
July 24, 2016 at 10:07 amI’m getting ready to make this now. I live in the mountains in NW Montana USA and there are a ton of wild roses on our property. I will post a picture when I’m done. I’m soo excited lol
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 25, 2016 at 4:54 amThat is exciting! Nice to have roses this late in the summer…enjoy this Cathy!
Caralyn says
September 19, 2016 at 10:03 amI am getting ready to make this and can it for gifts at a bridal shower but i am wondering how much this recipe makes. What size were the three jars that were filled? This recipe is dreamy and just perfect for a bridal shower to honor the blushing bride.
Sylvia Fountaine says
September 19, 2016 at 6:47 pmI think it makes about 1 ½ – 2 cups…but honestly it’s been so long I can’t remember! If you do make this will you swing back and let me know what it came to? I would greatly appreciate it!
Caralyn says
September 19, 2016 at 9:19 pmMy house smells wonderful! I made a double batch of the above recipe and ended up with (11) 4 oz. jars. I let it simmer for longer than the instructions suggested in the last step and believe that I could have gotten (12) 4 oz jars had I processed them in the suggested timeframe. I will make another batch (or two) in the next few days to get enough gifts for all the guests and to have some on hand throughout the holidays.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Caralyn says
September 19, 2016 at 9:29 pmOne more note, I fed my husband one of the rose petals from the completed jam before telling him what kind of jam it was. He usually avoids my odd food adventures, but this time he studied the flavor in his mouth. He said it reminded him of a tea that he had only a faint recollection of. Once I told him it was made with rose petals, I expected him to tell me he didn’t like it but he said he was intrigued and asked if we were giving it all away. I think this will be a regular jam recipe for special occasions, gifts and maybe even everyday go to jam.
Sylvia Fountaine says
September 20, 2016 at 6:02 amI love it!My husband is the same and it’s always nice when I can surprise him… I know the feeling . 🙂
Sylvia Fountaine says
September 20, 2016 at 6:00 amThanks Caralyn- Im so glad it worked out! Would love to see if you are on instagram!
Amani says
November 4, 2016 at 1:31 amCan’t wait totry this recipe! Question though what can I use instead of pectin? Can’t fnd any 🙁
Sylvia Fountaine says
November 5, 2016 at 7:04 amPectin helps cutdown on the amount of sugar you will need. You can always add more sugar.
Maria says
May 24, 2017 at 2:51 amHi. Been wanting to make rose petal jam for ages so I made this today. 2 loose cups of petals produced 1 x 350g jar of jam. A tad on the sweet side for me so I’ll use a little less sugar next time. Absolutely delicious though and definitely will be making more. Wonder what the orange petals would look like? Can’t wait to experiment with all my roses. Thank you xxx
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
May 24, 2017 at 7:36 pmLove it…thanks!
Trish Domenichetti says
June 11, 2017 at 2:58 pmThis is my second year making your Wild Rose Petal Jam! My daughter is absolutely over the moon in love with your recipe. She is 41, so that is telling in itself. I added a bit more filtered water (1/4 C) since I cut the sugar content in half. I was struggling to make 2 jars. This has worked perfectly for me. Also, I love Pomona’s pectin and I definitely use the Calcium water in your recipe. I look forward to June and harvesting the rose petals each day. Thank you so much, Sylvia:) You are the BEST.
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 12, 2017 at 7:23 amHi Trish- I’m so glad you have been enjoying this! Yay!!! Thanks for the sharing your adaptations and your comment, always appreciated!!! Have a beautiful summer. xo
Sylvie says
June 22, 2017 at 11:03 amHi! I just found your recipe of Rose Petal Jam… I intend to try it in my busy schedule… It looks so beautiful and I want to try the taste of it. 🙂 It should be wonderful! The only thing. where do i find Calcium Water? I never heard of it. In Canada, we use Bernardin pectin. We never had to add anything to it; so I should be okay, I guess. Thank you for your beautiful pictures. I love them all! <3 <3 <3
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Sylvia Fountaine says
June 24, 2017 at 9:18 amBecause the rose petals are not acidic, you can leave it out for the recipe.
Sarah says
June 25, 2017 at 11:48 amI’m using Ball’s RealFruit Classic Pectin instead. Should this still work?
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Sylvia Fountaine says
June 26, 2017 at 7:40 amI think it should be fine!
hm says
June 30, 2017 at 10:40 amDo you have a recipe version for this Rose Petal jam, using a sugar substitute? like stevia? or some other? thanks.
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 1, 2017 at 6:59 amNo, sadly I dont. Sugar is needed to get it to the right consistency.
Diane says
July 5, 2017 at 8:37 amExperiment with Sweeteners and Pectin
My first batch I used raw cane sugar and Pomona pectin. The jam turned out more of an amber rose color and was rather syrupy. The petals almost dissolved. It was delicious but over the top sweet for our tastes. The second batch consisted of one part Stevia, one part honey, and one part white sugar. (I found an inexpensive low sugar pectin at (Walmart. The Pomona pectin was $19.00 here!) The second batch had the same color as that online and was a similar consistency. Conclusion- you cannot go wrong with this recipe – the results may vary with consistency but the flavour and the delicate rose flavour will bring a smile to your face and a warm glow in your tummy!
★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 5, 2017 at 8:39 amThanks Diane, So helpful!!!
Kim Richardson says
July 10, 2017 at 11:37 pmHello is the T with the lemon for tablespoons or teaspoons please?
Sylvia Fountaine says
July 11, 2017 at 2:22 pmYes, capital T is tablespoon. I will update! thanks…
Hiam says
October 26, 2017 at 11:30 amThis recipe seems to be excellent I’m sure I’ll try it next May when the roses trees bloom in my garden, thank you sooo much for sharing your recipe.
★★★★
Di@Bibbyskitchen says
November 15, 2017 at 11:37 pmHi Sylvia.
I so love the way you’ve invited us right into Tonia’s kitchen. I’ve been wanting to make rose jam for the longest time and I think I’m going to start with your recipe. It looks magically pretty. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Sylvia Fountaine says
November 18, 2017 at 8:48 amYou are so welcome. It is magical… as well as my friend Tonia, so much fun to do this with her!
Naomi B.T. says
November 27, 2017 at 12:35 pmi love this recipe. rose petal jam is beautiful and delightfully delicious it’s fragrance fills the house while cooking it and has a lovely taste thanku for this recipe.
Anonymous says
June 1, 2018 at 12:11 pmHello, I love your recipe! But may I just ask; is it possible to use cornstarch as a substitute for pectin? And if not, is it easy to make your own pectin?
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 3, 2018 at 9:03 amI’m so sorry, I don’t know the answer to either!If you find out will you leave notes here for other readers? Thanks!
SS says
June 11, 2019 at 5:45 pmNO Pectin helps to jelly the jam, cornflour thickens and your jelly/jam will spoil up in no time. Its Ok for soups etc. Pectin is a special enzyme derived from the seeds ( bitter) of fruit
Jennifer says
June 12, 2018 at 2:53 pmHi there,
Just making this for the first time and am not sure whether or not I use the calcium water that comes with Pomonas. Do you just use the pectin?
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 12, 2018 at 7:33 pmHi Jennifer, I don’t think you have to use the calcium water, but some people do and my understanding is…. it makes the jam a little thicker.
Bhakti says
June 14, 2018 at 12:44 pmI made this jam last night and had some on my toast this morning…I started to have a digestive reaction intense feeling in my stomach and disturbance and had to have a bowel movement soon after. I got scared because I thought perhaps I didn’t use rose petals! I found out after going that roses are laxative and I ended up making rose syrup (used as a laxative) instead of rose jam because I realized that I put a lot more petals then you said! haha…..going to try again with less petals this time! 🙂
★★★★★
Betka G. says
July 11, 2018 at 2:20 pmMy boyfriend, who grew up in Istanbul mentioned that his mother used to make Rose Petal Jam, which allowed me to fine your site. Thank you for this wonderful sounding recipe–I can’t wait to try it with my personal roses.
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shannon g says
July 29, 2018 at 10:17 amcan i use gelatin instead of pectin?
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Sylvia Fountaine says
July 29, 2018 at 9:40 pmI have never tried it with Gelatin…I’m sorry!
Maria Sansaridou says
July 31, 2018 at 1:19 amIt’s a magical recipy!!! I also make rose petal jam, a recipy from my grandmother!!!I
Nancy McBride says
August 5, 2018 at 7:29 amI am so excited to make this jam. I just came back from my garden with the rose petals. I am expanding my knowledge of gardening and natural flavours, scents and remedies daily. Is glad I found your recipe. Most discard the petals. That you keep yours in the jam is even more wonderful. I was also delighted to read the notes from Julie Drew in Oz. The were truly magical and made me smile while remembering your beautiful photos in this post. Bravo to you both. And thank you for sharing your world.
Sylvia Fountaine says
August 6, 2018 at 8:24 pmThanks Nancy! Enjoy it!!
Kate says
October 22, 2018 at 8:42 pmRose is the type of flower that has the most fans. The beauty of the color has its own meaning that can awaken the atmosphere. Rose petals contain about 95% air. These petals are high in vitamins but low in calories. Rose petals can be used to treat disorders, cure, until the menstrual cycle is not smooth. deroosbv.com
Renee says
April 12, 2019 at 3:40 pmIm about to try this today, thankyou ! If I wanted to make larger quantities would I just double/triple etc all the ingredients ? Is that how it works when you are increasing volume in a recipe for jam ?
Sylvia Fountaine says
April 14, 2019 at 7:33 amYes, it should multiply just fine!
Arthur says
May 4, 2019 at 3:23 pmYummy!
Laura Santoso says
May 10, 2019 at 4:34 amI just make this.. And it’s great!!! It’s very uncommon to use rose petals in this country.. But they like it anyway..
Thankyou so much~~
★★★★★
Sylvia Fountaine says
May 10, 2019 at 8:05 amSo happy you enjoyed it!
Ellen says
June 6, 2019 at 2:58 pmThe are two asterisks after the pectin in your recipe, but I don’t see an explanation for that. Was there a note to go with the asterisks? Something about the pectin? And do you not have to mix up the Pomona’s?
Sylvia Fountaine says
June 7, 2019 at 10:34 amIt’s in the notes now, and I removed the asterisks – basically no need to add calcium water. 🙂 Sorry and thanks for pointing it out.
Sally Emerich says
June 7, 2019 at 3:08 pmIt really tastes like roses! I did cut back on the sugar a bit. Wonderful aroma.