Give Your Mother's Day Flowers a Second Life – Make Your Own Trini Potpourri
Mother's Day in Trinidad and Tobago is always special—filled with warm smiles, heartfelt hugs, and of course, beautiful bouquets. But when those vibrant blooms start waving goodbye, don’t just pitch them away. Transform those aromatic memories into something that lingers a bit longer! Homemade potpourri is your secret to bottling the love and scent of Mother's Day.
What is potpourri?
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Potpourri is like a magical medley of dried floral confetti—flowers, leaves, herbs, and spices—sprinkled with essential oils for a scent that sticks around longer than your last vacation. It’s often displayed in bowls or fabric sachets and is both decorative and aromatic.
Interesting fact:
The term potpourri comes from a French phrase meaning “rotten pot,” originally describing a stew of mixed ingredients. Today, it refers to a delightful mix of fragrances rather than a stinky dish!
In simple terms:
Potpourri is a natural air freshener made from dried flowers and other scented ingredients. People use it to:
- Freshen up spaces (living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms)
- Add a cozy, handmade touch to home décor
- Preserve the scent and sentiment of special flowers (like a Mother’s Day bouquet)
You can buy it in stores (can be pricey), but homemade potpourri is more meaningful, customizable, and often better smelling because you control the ingredients.
So, let’s get you mixing and matching aromas and colours, giving it that special Trini pizzazz for any occasion!
A Caribbean Spice Blend mix
🌺What You’ll Need:
- Dried flowers (roses, lilies, carnations, orchids, hibiscus – whatever you received)
- Dried leaves (eucalyptus, mint, fern-like etc). These must be dried completely but thankfully sun is plentiful these days.
- Dried citrus peel (orange or lime peels work great here in the tropics)
- Spices (whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg: grated or slightly crushed or why not both! These are all locally available in most kitchens).
- Essential oils (optional – lavender, rose, or even bay leaf oil from local shops)
- Fixative (like orris root powder or crushed bay leaves – this helps hold the scent longer)
- Decorative bowl or sachet bags
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| Spices to add to your potpourri. Source: Canva |
🌞Step-by-step Guide:
1. Dry the Flowers
Start by removing the petals from your flowers. Lay them out on a flat surface like a baking tray lined with paper towel. Keep them out of direct sunlight but in a warm, dry place. In Trinidad, the natural heat helps speed this up! Leave them to dry for about 4–7 days.
Quick tip:
2. Add Zest and Spice
Once your petals are dry and crispy, it’s time to add citrus zest and spices. Grate some fresh orange or lime peel and let it air dry for a day or two. Then mix it with your petals and add a few pieces of cinnamon stick, whole cloves, or star anise.
3. Scent It Up
Add a few drops of essential oil. Local bay leaf oil adds a Caribbean twist, but rose or lavender oil works just as well. Start with 5-10 drops and adjust to your liking.
4. Seal and Cure
Add a teaspoon of your fixative to help hold the fragrance. Mix everything together in a sealed container or ziplock bag and let it cure for about a week, shaking it gently every day to mix the scents.
5. Display or Gift
After a week, your potpourri is ready to use! Pour it into a decorative bowl to refresh a room or scoop into small sachets for a lovely homemade gift. It’s a wonderful way to say, “I’m still thinking of you,” even after Mother’s Day is over.
Bonus Tip:
Add a Caribbean twist with lemongrass (a.k.a fevergrass), mint, or even a drop of Angostura bitters!
🌿Why It’s Worth It
- Eco-friendly: No waste! You’re upcycling your flowers instead of throwing them out.
- Sentimental: It keeps the memory of that special day alive just a bit longer.
- Customizable: You can mix in herbs like mint, lemongrass, or even a few drops of Angostura bitters for a unique, local scent.
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