Ingredients
Fruits
- 1-4 orange slices or peels
- 3-4 lemon slices or peels
- 4 slices of apple
Spices and Herbs
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- Cinnamon sticks (about 2-3 sticks)
- Sprigs of fresh rosemary (2-3 sprigs)
- Bay leaves (2-3 leaves)
Other
- Fresh water (enough to cover ingredients in pot, about 4-6 cups)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Fill a large pot with the orange slices or peels, lemon slices or peels, apple slices, whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, fresh rosemary sprigs, and bay leaves. Add enough fresh water to fully cover the ingredients.
- Simmer on Stove: Place the pot on the stovetop and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat. Avoid boiling to preserve the delicate aromas and prevent fruit from breaking down too quickly.
- Maintain Water Level: Every few hours, check the water level and add more fresh water as needed to keep the ingredients submerged, preventing burning or sticking to the pot bottom.
- Reuse and Refresh: You can continue to use your simmer pot for a few days, refreshing the water as needed to maintain aroma. After a few days, discard the old ingredients and prepare a fresh batch to keep your home smelling vibrant.
Notes
- Use fresh citrus peels for the brightest and most natural fragrance.
- Simmer on low heat to avoid evaporating water too rapidly.
- You can customize with additional spices like nutmeg or vanilla beans if desired.
- Never leave the simmer pot unattended for prolonged periods to avoid drying out.
- The simmer pot is not intended for consumption but to scent your home.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes (initial simmer), with optional extended simmering for hours or days
- Category: Beverage / Aromatherapy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American