Orange Pomanders

organic_wanabe

I bought some nice oranges in Sainsbury yesterday for about 60p and thought I'd use them to make pomanders for Christmas (and for scenting some clothes cupboards) since I've already got plenty of cloves. I've never made them before and thought it would be fairly simple and inexpensive. However, after googling, I seem to need either Orris root (never heard ot if!)or sandalwood oil, which is going to add quite a bit onto the price. Has anyone made these before and had success without using the aforementioned exotic ingredients? If not, the oranges wont go to waste - we'll just eat them.

Seakay

Orris root does help with preserving (it is a type of Iris and available from some health food stores) but is not vital, as long as the clove stuck pomanders are dried slowly and evenly.
The main tricky bit is getting the pomanders to dry out without cooking or rotting; you need good airflow, no dampness at all, not too strong a direct heat. In the airing cupboard is good, with the added benefit of doing a bit of perfuming before they are even finished. Space them out on a piece of tissue paper/kitchen roll/newspaper in a slatted box or a basket.

rasmus

I tried one without the orris root, just rolling it in nutmeg and cinnamon powder,ive just had a look at it and its gone mouldy.
It is expensive but you donr need much and would be better than mouldy oranges

janeawej

i have never used orris root and mine hve been ok for years!

organic_wanabe

Well I made a pomander (without orris root) and it seems to be OK in the airing cupboard wrapped in tissue paper. My problem now is - how do I know when its ready?

myrnahaz

One tip - make holes in the orange with something pointy first (darning needles are good) because the flowery bit of the clove can be sharp and you'll give yourself sore fingers if you just poke the cloves in.

carbonel

Orris root available on eBay, only a few pence for a large amount. My Mother is making some new pomanders - the old ones have lost their 'pom' after several years and ordered some. As she is the Queen of all money savers it had to be cheap!:D

Penny_Watcher

I've still got a pomander I made 25 years ago before I left home. It still smells of 'Christmas'

I didn't use anything as a preservative, just dried it really slowly.

lil_me

We used to make those at school, any ideas where I can get cheap cloves from as I am sure my children would enjoy making those.

We never used anything but the orange and the cloves, no preservatives.

Penny_Watcher

lil_me wrote:

We used to make those at school, any ideas where I can get cheap cloves from as I am sure my children would enjoy making those.

We never used anything but the orange and the cloves, no preservatives.

Your nearest Indian supermarket should have a good cheap supply.

lil_me

Argh not one of those near me, at all, but have a few Indian friends who I see quite frequently so I shall ask them, I'm always sending them 'I need' things lol. Thanks Penny Watcher.