What distillation method produces a true hydrosol retaining beneficial properties?
Answer
Steam distillation
The utility and effectiveness of floral waters are intrinsically linked to their production quality. A true hydrosol is defined as the aromatic water byproduct resulting from the steam distillation process, where steam passes through the plant material (petals or blossoms). This method efficiently extracts the volatile aromatic compounds alongside beneficial properties. This process stands in contrast to simple infusions, where petals are merely soaked in hot water and strained; simple infusions yield a much weaker product and have a significantly shorter shelf life compared to their distilled counterparts.

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