Do you ever wonder how your lotions and potions are made, or who made them? We delve into the natural beauty staple, flower water, to get a glimpse into the world of distillation. 

Flower waters come in various forms, and while a floral scented water appears simple, the process to create them is not. Long and highly precise, it takes a delicate touch, plenty of experience, and a patient mind to craft floral waters by hand (the best way, of course), and Amanda Saurin, founder of A.S Apothecary, certainly possesses all those qualities.

A master of her craft, Amanda knows flowers and herbs inside-out when it comes to their therapeutic properties, and exactly how to extract them. We chatted to her to find out more about life at her very own distillery in the beautiful English countryside, and how the finest floral waters are forged all the way from the ground to the bottle.

EcoSalon: Most of us have heard of flower waters, but can you explain exactly what they are?
Amanda Saurin: Flower waters are quite magical – they are the gentler relative of essential oil. In artisanal production, when a plant is distilled, it either sits in or above the water in the retort (the big copper pot). As the water heats, the oil glands break open releasing the essential oil into the water. The oil and water soluble elements of the plant become steam in the heat of the Alembic (distilling apparatus) rising through the onion top, along the swan neck and finally into the condenser. The condenser is cold and so as the steam meets the cold coils it turns back into a liquid. The liquid exits the condenser into a separator. This liquid is a mix of both flower water and essential oil. Generally, essential oil is lighter than the flower water so it slowly comes to rest on top. The flower water contains some of the essential oil that have remained in solution and other aromatics from the plant itself.

ES: How have they been traditionally used in health and beauty?
AS: Flower waters have been used in health and beauty for as long as there have been Alembics. They are intensely therapeutic. Of a few of the plants I distil I use Clary Sage to speed along births and to aid concentration, Orange Blossom as a mood lifting slightly astringent spritz, Lavender to calm and relax as well as for its antiseptic properties, Rose to cool the skin and heal the spirit and Pink Pepper to refresh and brighten the skin and as an amazing flavor enhancer in gin. We probably sell most Geranium for its phenomenal effects on skin prone to hormonal change. It is such a precious plant. Flower Waters are incredibly versatile. Scent is utterly evocative, a spritz of a familiar plant can transport you back to a time or place, it is powerful indeed.

ES: At your distillery, what is the process to create a floral water from the plant right to the end?
AS: We are unique in that we go to the plants rather expecting them to come to us. We grow 200+ Roses and Lavender, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Calendula and many other plants. We travel to Cyprus to pick and distill Orange Blossom, Pink Pepper and Geranium. At the farm, we grow organically, tend, pick and distill our plants at exactly the right moment. They are fresh, they haven’t had to travel for miles and they are all picked by hand. This gives us the very best quality flower water. For the plants in Cyprus we keep a large Alembic a few minutes from where we pick.

Our distillations are very slow and careful, we distill for flower waters and essential oils separately so that we can keep the essential oils in suspension in the flower water – the therapeutics are so much greater that way. This is never done commercially because it is time-consuming and the most commercially valuable part of a plant is the essential oil. We like to think about it differently – in therapeutics rather than profit.

At the end of a distillation, we give the remaining water in the Alembic to a friend to use as a dye and the spent plant matter is composted and used to feed the new plants. Nothing is wasted.

ES: What led you to set up your own distillery and create AS Apothecary?
AS: I set up my own distillery because I come from a therapeutic background and I wanted my patients to have access to the best quality products. I didn’t seek out distilling in the first place, I was living in Cyprus and met a wonderful woman, Mariam Khan, who introduced me to this amazing art. I was immediately hooked, making my own aromatics was such a brilliant contrast to smelling adulterated or poor quality essential oils and flower waters. Also with 30 years of working with plants, I really felt that I understood how to get the best out of every plant I used.

A.S APOTHECARY is an extension of my work as a Homeopath and Herbalist, it has allowed me to offer products into the beauty industry that are uncompromising, absolutely beautiful, made by hand and with as much care as a therapeutic preparation for a patient. The beauty industry is built on making women feel dissatisfied with themselves, on producing ever more products, but most of all it is driven by huge profits. This means that most companies look for a palatable part of their process creating a whole story around it but failing to reveal most of the process. We wanted to offer something different, products that work well, are gentle and effective. We also wanted our methods and ingredient production to be transparent. Having the distillery means that we can invite customers into our world, they can chat with us, volunteer to pick or plant and really understand what we are doing.

ES: How does the art of distilling, and using the final product, tie into mindfulness?
AS: The way I distill is to listen. I’m often asked about the temperature of the water, length of distillation, temperature of the condenser and so many other questions. In the end, it comes down to listening and understanding the needs of each plant. I load the Still grateful for the harvest and then slowly seal the joints before lighting the burner. Loading the Still is wonderful – there is total joy in putting handful after handful of flowers into the water and becoming immersed in the scent and process. Once the Still is lit I listen to the sound, I know exactly the sound of the plants moving in the water that will yield the best flower water and essential oil. I turn the heat up or down until it is exactly right. I feel the vibration of the moving water through the swan neck. It is both mesmeric and deeply soothing.

Once the sound and vibration are right, I wait and wait for the moment when there is a little puff of vapor from the exit to the condenser. It is called the angel’s breath, the moment that precedes the flow of flower water when the vapor captures the very essence of the plant. It still delights me, even after hundreds of distillations.

I love the idea that our products are used to create a ritual of self-care – an opportunity to engage fully with ourselves. Many women use our Cleansing Oil as a transition between work and home. They get home, go to their bathroom and slowly allow a few drops to fall onto their fingers before massaging it onto their skin to wipe away not only make up but also the day’s events that precede it. It is transformative. The scent is enveloping, comforting and intensely soothing. The process of massaging it into the skin and rinsing with warm water to remove the grime of the day is cathartic, healing both for skin and spirit. When products are made with such care, they are so much more than the sum of their parts, each little pot is imbued with our care and positivity. Human scale production makes such a difference.

ES: Are there any kinds of plants and flowers that are better for distilling than others?
AS: There are plants that will fairly easily give up their treasure like Lavender for example. It is a plant that is full of oil and tough. Other plants such as Orange Blossom are much harder – it’s easy to get a flower water but very difficult to capture the scent without undesirable notes. Equally with Roses. I have smelled some horrid flower waters of both Neroli and Rose where I can smell that the petals have been overheated or the process has been too violent. Some plants just won’t distill well – Lilac is a good example. Within seconds it smells of cabbage, not nice at all. Sometimes I’ve thought that a plant was impossible only to realize that actually I was too impatient or picking it at the wrong part of the season. What many people don’t realize is that plants change scent during a flowering season – early Lavender is green smelling, sharp and bright. At the end of the season, it is so much richer, rounder, fuller. These are the things you learn as you experiment. Equally, depending on the rainfall, sunlight, soil conditions, a plant will produce a very different scent – every year is an adventure.

ES: What are some of the more unusual flowers you’ve managed to create a water from?
AS: I have distilled Ladies Bedstraw (Galium verum) which smells of honey and dry meadow hay, Heather (Caluna vulgaris) which reminds me of creamy butter, Cistus which captures some of the glorious Labdanum resin, Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) full of nutty sweetness and so many more. Being a plantswoman and a distiller is dangerous indeed – I’m constantly thinking of things to experiment with.

ES: If you’re introducing a floral water into your skincare regime for the first time, what are some of the best botanicals to start with and their benefits?
AS: There are four flower waters to always have on hand – Rose to cool, soothe redness and refresh sensitive skin, Orange Blossom to very gently tone and treat the skin and Lavender to calm the mind and aid restful sleep, to help prevent infected breakouts and treat any kind of minor burn or sting. Finally, Geranium which is the most glorious hormone balancer and treatment for spots.

ES: Could someone potentially create a floral water at home using the distillation method?
AS: Yes, you can make flower waters at home using a very big pan. Put the pan on the cooker, put a brick inside and stand a bowl on top. Put plant matter around the outside of the bowl in the pan until it’s level or just above the height of the brick. Add water to the pan but be careful not to splash it into the bowl. Fill it until it is just below the top of the brick. Put the pan lid on upside down so that there is an inverted apex and fill the outside of the pan lid with ice. Turn on the cooker and heat it until steam starts to form. The steam will rise in the pan, hit the cold lid and then run into the apex finally dripping into the bowl. It’s not sophisticated but it does work.

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Ever visited fancy homes on a home and garden tour or poured over magazines and Pinterest for hours looking at gorgeous flower arrangements with envy in your heart and a desire to learn floral arranging?

Of course, you have, but now there is hope for you (and me). There’s a new book available that makes flower arranging more approachable for us mere mortals. “Jane Packer’s Flower Course: Easy Techniques for Fabulous Flower Arranging,” written by celebrated florist Jane Packer, presents Packer’s highly regarded four-week course taught at her flower school–but in book form. The book lays out her wealth of experience and celebrated designs and puts them within reach of everyday flower enthusiasts.

Jane Packer is one of Britain’s foremost floral artists. She established Jane Packer Flowers in 1982, and in 1990 opened her first flower school in London. In 2004, Jane launched janepackerdelivered.com, delivering her trademark arrangements nationwide. She has outlets in London, New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Kuwait City.  Her clients include boutique hotels, film companies, designer stores, and devoted private clients. And now, you can fashion your own Packer-inspired floral arrangements.

This guide is broken down into three sections covering arrangements intended to be given as gifts, floral arranging and decorating for the home, and arrangements for celebrations including weddings.

And lest you think this book is just a visual smorgasbord of delicious floral designs, think again. While there are plenty of stunning photos in the book, the emphasis is actually on the practical how-to. The glorious photographs of the finished arrangements are accompanied by step-by-step photographs and super-easy-to-follow instructions. There is even a beginning overview of the tools and supplies that you will need for floral arranging, as well as a section on buying flowers and on conditioning and reviving flowers.

Projects range from the more rustic, like hyacinths and anemones in a bag, to the more modern, like a modern pedestal arrangement with sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and cabbage heads.

Believe me when I tell you that the book distils Packer’s floral expertise and style into one essential resource that imparts all the secrets of creating beautiful floral designs. It is a must for anyone who wants to learn how to do their own floral arranging.

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Images from “Jane Packer’s Flower Course: Easy techniques for fabulous flower arranging” from Ryland Peters & Small publishers and photographed by Paul Massey

The post Floral Arranging Made Easy as Peonies with a New Resource appeared first on EcoSalon.

The crocuses are out early in Kansas and that means that spring is basically here. While I think we all would rather look at flowers in the ground or a vase, that’s not always possible. The following outfits will allow you to enjoy floral patterns where ever you go. So, here we go: 5 ways to mix and match floral patterns.

1. Floral Umbrella and Vibrant Flower-Print Coat

Spring showers do bring flowers, so we think it’s appropriate to include a floral trench coat and an umbrella in this post. This vivid coat is priced at $47.99 and features flowers that will make you dream of steamy, summer months. And you’ll feel anything but dreary when using this umbrella during a spring rainstorm. Priced at $34.

2. Floral Platforms and Mini Dress

This combo is classic — because who doesn’t love a flirty floral dress and platforms. This “all over floral” pattern features ruffles and a mini fit. Priced at $168. Sure, ballet flats would look cute with this dress, but sometimes you want to bypass cute and go straight to smokin’. Get to that level of self-love in seconds by strapping on this pair of floral platforms. Priced at $129.95.

3. Floral One-Piece and Scarf

Everyone needs a scarf to wear with their bathing suit this season. This summer scarf can keep your shoulders warm on cool nights, or keep your sea-soaked hair back. Priced at $34. And we love this suit because it’s an incredibly sexy one-piece. Sure, you may not be able to play volleyball in this suit, but you sure will be able to strut your stuff. Priced at $168.

4. Maxi Dress with Clutch

We couldn’t get through this post without including one long, flowing, floral piece — after all, it’s a classic! The Floral Fields dress is on sale for $79.95. This piece is perfect for spring days that start cold and end warm. And now that you’ve saved all that cash by getting a dress that’s on sale, you can get this $198 clutch.

5. Floral Earrings and Necklace

Sometimes all you need is a floral pattern that’s simple — and that’s when you can turn to delicate, flower embellished jewelry. These two pieces are beautiful but subtle. The earnings are priced at $48 and the pressed floral necklace is priced at $159.95.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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I must be emotional today, because this National Parks video almost made me cry.

Luckily, those almost-tears would have been tears of joy. The video below is about how Death Valley may have a super bloom this year thanks to high amounts of rainfall in the area. Watch the video and see how life can truly survive anywhere.

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The post The Flowers of Death Valley are Amazing [Video] appeared first on EcoSalon.

Edible flowers aren’t just beautiful… they’re good for you too.

Add edible flowers to a meal and not only will you add a little color, but you’ll throw in some extra health benefits as well. Many edible flowers are full of valuable nutrients. Think of edible flowers as you would spices; they add taste to a meal but they’re also good for your health.

If you’re looking for flowers that are beautiful, tasty and nutritious, here are a few to choose from. Remember that just like with any wild plant, be sure you know exactly what you’re picking and where it comes from. Identification is key.

1. Borage

With a bright blue flower that tastes a bit like cucumber, all parts of the borage plant are used for medicinal purposes. The flower and leaves can be used for coughs and depression, and borage seed oil can be used for skin disorders like eczema. Borage is also high in essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.

2. Dandelions

Most people think of dandelions as a weed, but the bright yellow plant is full of vitamin A, B, C and D. The flowers have antioxidant properties, and the leaves act as a diuretic, as well as stimulating the appetite and helping in digestion. And chances are, you probably already have some dandelion growing where you live, so no need to grow your own.

3. Chives

With a taste similar to garlic, chives are a common herb found in many an edible flower garden. But they’ve got a medicinal value as well, having long been used to lower blood pressure. Their purple blossoms are also full of vitamin C and iron, good for boosting your immune system.

4. Lavender

Beyond smelling fantastic, lavender contains vitamin A, calcium and iron. Often found in oil form, it is used for restlessness and insomnia, as well as a variety of digestive complaints. Thanks to polyphenols, it can even help reduce bad bacteria in your stomach, helping with bloating.

5. Sweet Violet

Often found growing in the wild, sweet violets offer a lot more than just their beautiful color. In fact, in Ancient Rome,the violet was believed to moderate anger, strengthen the heart, and promote sleep.  The leaves have antiseptic properties and the flowers possess slightly laxative properties.

6. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum has long been used to make a calming tea in China, known to boost immunity and reduce high blood pressure. The bright flowers also may have anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Scented geranium

With a slight citrus flavor, scented geraniums give a little twist to an otherwise boring summer salad, but the plant is also known for its relaxing properties. You can make a cup of tea to calm your stress levels or help you deal with a headache.

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Wildflowers are in full bloom across the country. Do you know where to view them?

With spring in full swing, chances are you’ve had flowers on the mind lately. Perhaps a getaway to see some of the finest wildflowers in the country is in order? These six places have been hailed as some of the best areas for spring and summer blossom viewing in the nation.

1. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, California

Although the wildflower blooms in this reserve reached their peak on May 4, there are still a good number of flowers painting the hills vivid colors. Poppy fields will remain for another two weeks and two wildflowers — beavertail cacti and buckwheat — have yet to reach their height. If you’re more of the planning type, be sure to go in April, when the nearby town of Lancaster holds an annual California Poppy Festival featuring live music and family-friendly activities like camel rides.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

The most visited national park in the US, the Great Smoky Mountains covers areas across both North Carolina and Tennessee. With extensive wildflower bloom information updated multiple times a week, this national park makes it easy for you to plan the perfect time to visit and see all your favorite wildflowers. After seeing some of the 1,500 varieties of flowering plants, you’ll understand why many have nicknamed it “Wildflower National Park.”

3. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park has over 200,000 acres of protected lands and boasts more than 850 species of wildflowers. While it’s too late to catch some of the popular flowers, including purple violets and pink lady slippers, the later spring and early summer months still bring plenty of colorful buds to take in. Keep an eye out for columbines, ox-eye daisies, and orange touch-me-nots around this time of year.

4. Fort Pierre National Grassland, South Dakota

This mixed-grass prairie covers over 100,000 acres and is a special sight in the summer when wildflowers are in full bloom. If you’re not as excited about the opportunities for spotting bluebells, bellflower, and Eastern red columbine, you can alternatively keep an eye out for some of the more lively species inhabiting the area, like prairie dogs and burrowing owls.

5. Glacier National Park, Montana

Fortunately for the latecomers to the wildflower scene, the species in Glacier National Park typically don’t peak until July and August. This may feel far into the future, but planning a trip to see the nearly 1,000 species of blossoms will be worth the wait. Make sure to get the inside scoop on which trails will be best for wildflower-viewing. If you want a flower-filled weekend you can even stay overnight in one of the park’s historic lodges or campsites.

6 White Mountains, New Hampshire

Despite this year’s polar vortex, wildflowers will still come to New Hampshire! Orchids are typically the first to blossom, kicking off wildflower season in late May. Make your travel arrangements now to come out during the 21st Annual Celebration of Lupines during the month of June in Franconia Notch. If the bright blankets of lupines covering the ground isn’t enough to convince you to book your travel now, the month will also feature a variety of ongoing and one-time events that attract crowds from far and wide.

This article originally appeared on Sierra Magazine.

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The consequences of climate change aren’t always ugly. In the Rocky Mountains, it means an extra 35 days to find and photograph gorgeous wildflowers.

Every day, I thank the universe for transplanting me to the Front Range of Colorado. All I have to do is step out on my porch, and I’m blessed with a picture perfect view of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Living here also means I get the chance to see some consequences of climate change up close and personal, like drought, out-of-control wildfires, and more recently extra flowers.

Hikers and wildflower enthusiasts flock to the Rocky Mountains from mid-May to early September, which is the best time for catching the most blooms. However, recent research shows that, thanks to climate change, an increasing number of wildflower species have altered their flowering patterns.

The study, which analyzed 39 years of data at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory near Crested Butte, Colo., found that climate change has altered the blooming season of more than two-thirds of the 60 species of native wildflowers commonly found in mountain meadows. They say wildflower season in the Rocky Mountains now lasts 35 days longer, stretching from April to mid-September.

“Previous studies largely have focused on the first appearance of flowers in the spring, but that probably underestimates the true extent of the changes they are going through,” reports the LA Times. “To go beyond that, researchers analyzed wildflower species throughout the season. They found that half of them flowered earlier, more than a third reached their peak blooms sooner and 30% flowered later into the year due to a warming climate.”

At first glance, it’s hard to think of this development as a negative thing. Who doesn’t love an extra month and five days to experience the beauty of high alpine meadows full of colorful flowers? Unfortunately, changes for one species almost always affects everything else in the ecosystem.

“We don’t know if it’s good or bad for these plant species at this point,” Amy Iler, postdoctoral biology researcher at University of Maryland and co-author of the study, told the LA Times. Impacts on already-endangered pollinator species, like bees and butterflies, has yet to be investigated.

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The post The Rocky Mountains Get A Longer Wildflower Season Thanks To Climate Change appeared first on EcoSalon.

Spring flowers straight from the French capital.

Spring in Paris–there’s a reason that everyone loves this time of year. The sun comes back, the sky turns blue and flowers turn the city from gray to colorful. Between the flowers and branches of city parks and the multitude of flower shops and fresh bouquets at markets, there is plenty of flora to enjoy.

Want a full dose of flowers while in Paris? Check out the Jardin des Plantes. And if you can’t make it for a spring in Paris, why not Parisian spring flowers at home?

Here are 11 flowers and blossoms that make a Parisian spring beautiful.

1. Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms are the quintessential flowers of Parisian parks, and when the breeze comes through just right you almost feel like you’re in the countryside. Paired with the bright blue sky, it makes for the perfect Parisian springtime afternoon.

2. Daffodils

What better way to say spring than daffodils? The yellow spring flowers can be found all around town at floral shops and local markets.

3. Peonies

Peonies are a favorite of Parisian flower boutiques, and this time of year you’ll find them practically overflowing onto the sidewalk.

4. Irises

There are a few Iris varieties native to Paris and it’s a common flower found in the big gardens like Jardin du Luxembourg.

5. Lilies

With many species and colors it’s no wonder that the French love lilies. In fact, the fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, appears on countless French coat of arms and is a common symbol in French culture.

6. Roses

Roses are in abundance in the Paris flower markets this time of year, and if you’re lucky you can even track down the native wild climbing rose Rosa Canina.

7. Nasturtiums

Pass by a community garden in Paris and you’re sure to see some blossoming nasturtiums. But these aren’t just pretty; they’re edible too.

8. Gourdon Flowers

A purple widlflower, you’ll find this flowers growing wild all around Paris. While you may not be able to get a hold of these at home, you can replicate that beautiful purple color in any flower arrangement.

9. Lily of the Valley

Known as muguet in France, the Lily of the Valley has a special place in French culture, and you’ll find it in everything from perfumes to teas. On May 1st, the French have a tradition of gifting bouquets of lily of the valley to friends and loved ones.

10. Tulips

While tulips are most often associated with Holland, you’ll find them all over Paris. In plenty of colors they are the perfect pop for spring.

11. Paulownia Blossoms

While not native to Paris (Paulownia trees come from Eastern Asia) they’re symbolic with a Paris spring. They line many a Parisian street and their beautiful pink and white flowers are certainly a sign of the spring season.

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The ultimate in long-lasting, low-maintenance floral displays: a set of three felt blooms.

Felt seems an unlikely material for household ornaments and plant-related items. We recently featured some super-cute petit plant holders, or pods, by the same people behind these.

This table-top decoration puts a post-modern, two-dimensional spin on artificial flowers (move over, silk hydrangeas). Felt flowers are deceptively delicate-looking, but surprisingly tough – ever tried tearing the thick, soft fabric?

They are made of 50% recycled materials, and come in green, fuchsia pink and grey, and three designs: rounds (circular with slot), buds (3-D looking oval) and retro (ovaloid). Perspective is provided by three different sizes – in height and flower circumference. The flowers don’t droop and they age beautifully – in fact they’re fairly indestructible.

They probably look great combined, too – the shades have been chosen to work together. A lasting addition to your decorative possibilities, at an investment of $12 for three.

The post Want Flowers That Never Die? Consider Felt appeared first on EcoSalon.

Amp up your summer ice cubes with these 10 cool ideas.

A scorching Summer calls for cool beverages – preferably iced. But where’s the fun in run-of-the-mill ice cubes? Sure, they cool things down, but they also dilute many an iced coffee or a cocktail, which is not okay. This is where flavored ice cubes enter the scene – they’re easy on the eyes and add more taste than water ever did. Impress guests (and yourself) with these 10 flavored ice cube ideas.

Coffee

Cool down your coffee without diluting it! Freeze coffee that you would normally drink hot and throughout a sizzling week, use the cubes in your daily cup or blend them into a smoothie for some extra coolness and caffeine.

Herbs

Wow a crowd by adding chopped herbs to an ice-cube tray. Cool water with cubes infused with chopped mint leaves and dried ginger and bring extra taste and sophistication to the table.

Coconut Water

Coconut water has an electrolyte balance similar to human blood, so it’s super nourishing. Add coconut water ice cubes to an smoothie or glass of water in place of regular water ice cubes for a refreshing energy kick.

Colorful Fruit

For a beautiful presentation, add raspberries and blueberries or slices of pineapple, mango, and other sweet fruit to an ice-cube tray. They not only make a glass of water look festive but also leave it with a fruity hint that intensifies with each sip.

Edible Flowers

This one is mostly for show. The summer is all about outdoor barbecues, pool-side treats, and nature. Ice cubes with colorful edible flowers sprinkled in simply fits the bill.

Lemon Juice

Save the slice. Freeze lemon juice, and cool down on a blistering Summer afternoon with a tall glass of water with lemon ice cubes.

Old Wine

Old wine can be salvaged! Freeze remaining wine into cubes and melt them on the stove top into recipes that call for wine. And don’t dilute that sangria with water ice cubes, use red wine ice cubes instead to retain the alcohol level (very important) and taste.

Wheat Grass

It may be one of the healthiest juices on earth, but it sure doesn’t have a shelf life. Wheatgrass in its liquid state goes rotten quite quickly. Freeze the juice into cubes and use them in smoothies or use them to cool fruit and vegetable juice, all the while offering you some blood-cleansing benefits.

Milk

Milk ice cubes can be added to a hot cup of coffee or tea to cool it down but bring up the richness of the drink.

Chocolate

Melt dark chocolate, let cool to room temperature, and freeze into cubes. Toss the frozen chocolate cubes into a glass of milk. As the chocolate melts, you have yourself an increasingly richer chocolate milk that is as fresh and cooling as it is decadent and delicious.

Aylin Erman currently resides in Istanbul and is creator of plant-based recipe website GlowKitchen.

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