Frontier Co-op Orris Root Powder, Kosher

The most valued component of orris root is oil of orris (0.1–0.2%), a yellow-white mass containing myristic acid. Oil of orris is sometimes sold as orris butter.

Orris root is often included as one of the many ingredients of ras el hanout, a blend of herbs and spices used across the Middle East and North Africa, primarily associated with Moroccan cuisine.

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Age Range (Description)

Organic, Kosher Certified, Plant Based

My quest for how to make orris root powder came long before the days of the Internet, in fact it was way back in the early 1990’s when magazines and mail ordering supplies through catalogs was still the popular thing to do.

I was into herbs, soap making, potpourri and homemade cleaning products back in those days however unlike now when you can get online and find what you need, the supplies such as orris root powder were pretty hard to get.

Not to mention when you did find a supplier you had to buy in bulk and shipping was outrageous!

My solution to that was to find out where exactly orris root powder came from and grow that plant myself then learn how to process the plant material so I could have my own private supply.

• «Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Laverstoke Mill) – Orris root». www.diffordsguide.com. Retrieved 2022.
• «Orris Noir Perfume Collection». Ormonde Jayne. Retrieved 2013-10-18.

What Orris Root Is Used For

Orris root powder  is used as a fixative in homemade potpourri recipes and in other crafts, specially ones that are scented.

Orris root powder is also used as a cosmetic stabilizer and to help keep linens fresh.

To use it to keep linens fresh, just add a pinch of orris root powder to your washing detergent if you make your own or directly to your wash water if you use commercial laundry detergent.

I also across some uses orris root powder in tea and saw that is was also used as a homeopathic treatment.

I have not tried orris root powder as a dietary supplement or homeopathic treatment and do encourage you to talk with your doctor and do your own research before using it in either of these ways.

Cooking with Orris Root

For a spice that does not make one think instantly of food, or even cause salivation at the mere whiff of it, there is no substitute for the haunting floral characteristic of orris root in the exotic Moroccan blend ras el hanout. This mixture has a unique aroma and flavor (even when leaving out the illegal substances) that is partially created by the 20 plus different spices in the recipe, and also without doubt, by the inclusion of orris root powder. It has a scent similar to violets; whilst popular in the 1800’s, it is now used to scent and preserve pomander balls, spice wreaths, or sachets. Pomander balls are citrus fruits or small apples into which cloves are inserted in even rows. Roll the pomander in a mixture of orris root and cinnamon.

Recipes using Orris Root

1 Tbsp Pieces Of Orris Root
1 Fifth Vodka Or Brandy
1 Cup sugar syrup

Steep the orris root in the vodka or brandy for one week in a tightly closed jar, shaking occasionally. Filter through cheesecloth and add the sugar syrup. This may remain a little cloudy, but can be clarified by letting it stand undisturbed for a couple of months and then siphoning off the clear portion. This improves somewhat after standing for a few months.

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What is Orris Root?

The orris root powder of culinary use (and the most fragrant variety) comes from the rhizome of Florentine iris, one of a vast family of plants grown primarily for their magnificent blooms, that are so popular for decorating garden beds in spring and early summer. Although sometimes called ‘flag irises‘ these are not to be confused with ‘sweet flag‘ (calamus) which is also sometimes called ‘wild irls‘ ln the United States.

The irises from which orris root powder is produced are native to the eastern Mediterranean region. They extended into northern India, North Africa and were cultivated for their rhizomes in southern Europe. Such is the beauty and variety of colors in this family that it is no wonder they were named after the rainbow goddess ‘Iris’.

Orris root was used in perfumery in ancient Greece and Rome and its medicinal qualities were appreciated by Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny. During the Middle Ages Iris Germanica florentina and I. pallida were cultivated in northern Italy, and this is why the ancient heraldic arms of the city of Florence were a white iris on a red shield, an indication that it was renowned for the growth of this plant.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, orris root was used in cooking, however its popularity as a fragrance appeared to outweigh its culinary applications, the majority of violet perfumes having more orris, or extract of orris, in them than actual violets. The exception being where orris root powder still features in Morocco as one of the exotic ingredients in the fragrant and heady spice blend ras el hanout.

Spice Description

The Florentine iris is an attractive perennial plant with bluish-green, narrow, flat, swordlike leaves 1-1 in. (3-4 cm) wide. The flower stems reach to 3 ft. (1 m) and higher and bear either white flowers tinged with violet and a yellow beard, or pure white flowers with no beard. Orris root powder is pale-cream to white in color, is very fine-textured like talcum powder, and has an aroma distinctly similar to that of violets. The flavor is also floral and has a distinct bitter taste.

Preparation and Storage

The best variety of iris for making orris root powder is I. Germanica florentina. It takes three years for the plants to mature, after which the rhizomes are dug up, peeled, dried and powdered.

The degree of care taken with respect to peeling and preparation of the rhizomes has an important bearing on quality, just as it does when processing the rhizomes of ginger, turmeric, galangal and other rootstock spices. Premium grade Florentine iris is almost white in color, while less carefully peeled orris root may yield a powder that is brownish and contains corky, reddishbrown particles of skin.

Orris root powder was readily available from pharmacies in North America in the 1950s, however these days it is necessary to seek out a specialty herb and spice retailer for your supply. Buy it in its powdered form, as it would be too difficult and not worth the effort to grind yourself. Avoid powder that is an off-color or has too many lumps. The powder is a magnet to moisture, so it is essential to store it in an airtight container, well protected from humidity.

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Orris, also known Bearded Iris, is a perennial plant native to Europe. Though once an herbal medicine, it is now primarily employed as a fixative and base note in perfumery, and as an ingredient in several brands of gin.

Features & details

Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Reviews with images

5.0 out of 5 stars

Really glad I got this.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 13, 2013

I had never bought anything from Frontier and I had never bought or used orris root powder before but I am glad I did!I bought this powder for making orange pomanders.Who knows if this is true but I read online that orris root powder comes in 3 grades: white, off-white faint yellow and light brown.The white is the best as it has no peeling in it and has a strong fragrance of violets.The off-white faint yellow is the second best, it has a small amount of peel in it but still has a good fragrance.The light brown has a lot of peel in it and has very little smell. Sometimes the brown one is bleached white so it looks like the good one.The Frontier powder I received looks to be the off-white faint yellow kind. It is a very fine powder with a solid but not overbearing smell to it. I am glad I got this one because lol if it had of been white I would have wondered if it was the cheap bleached stuff.I am just guessing but I would say the 1 pound bag is probably about 4 cups of the powder, which is probably a lifetime supply for me. I have very happy with my powder and Frontier.

-pomander tips-I read several online recipes for the pomander spice mix and really nobody agreed on how much orris root fixative to use, so I read other orris root powder uses and found that when making potpourri the weight ratio is 20% fixative to 80% other ingredients.I plan on making several pomanders so I combined nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove powder until I had 1 full cup of the spice mixture. Then I added 1/2 cup of the orris powder, which would give a 1/3 fixative ratio and it seems fine.

-This isn’t in any of the recipes I read but I just so happened to have some orange essential oil (the expensive stuff in the tiny bottle) and a cheap bottle of orange flavoring for cooking, I mixed them together (to stretch out the expensive oil) in a tiny spray bottle and sprayed each orange just before rolling in the spice mix! I really think I am going to have the best pomanders EVER!!!When I was all done I took a small plastic container with a lid, put my leftover spice mix in it and gave it a couple of squirts with the orange oil and BAM! The smell will blow you away! Say word and pay it forward.

50 people found this helpful

Hard to find item

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 29, 2014

I am making sachets and potpourri from roses and lavender, and using lavender essential oil and rose perfumed oil. I think I used way too much of this stuff in my recipe, because in the sachets it keeps falling out of the little bags. I’m not even sure that I needed this stuff, but I got it anyway since so many of the «recipes» called for it. I’ll use much less of it the next time. I was told I would find this in health food stores but Whole Foods doesn’t carry it. Glad to find it here.

One person found this helpful

There’s a lot of it.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 25, 2021

It is what it is.

4.0 out of 5 stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 9, 2019

Love this. It’s very fine so mixed well with other producta

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 11, 2018

Great product even though I do not use it often

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 17, 2013

Beginning a new hobby, and this product was recommended as one of the Items I would need. Seems to work as suggested.

It is good.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 17, 2014

I was expecting it to be ground more finely. Other than that, It is good.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 27, 2015

I purchased the orrisroot to make pomanders for the holidays. So far it has helped to preserve the oranges and spicy scent. There is enough to make many more and I’m hoping it will last until next year in an airtight container.

5 people found this helpful

Instructions

Health Benefits of Orris Root

The flavonoids of orris root are known to possess anti-inflammatory activity explaining the herb’s traditional use as a remedy for sore throats and colds. Orris root is mildly diuretic; it was traditionally used to treat “dropsy” or congestive heart failure. Orris root that is stored in powdered form is more useful as a diuretic, while orris root that is stored in a chopped form is more useful as an anti-inflammatory.

Other Names

French: racine d’iris
German: Florentina schwertlilie
Italian: giaggiolo
Spanish: raiz de iris Florentina

Scientific Name

Iris Germanica fiorentina, I. pallida
Fam: Iridaceae

Where To Buy Orris Root

Local herb shops or other local places where you can buy dried herbs often carry orris root powder.

However, an easier way to buy it in bulk is online.

Orris root is sold as both a spice and as a fixative for art and craft use.

Before selecting one, think about what you will be using it for.

For arts and crafts, my choice is the Frontier Co-op Brand Orris Root Natural Powder available on Amazon.

I trust the products Frontier Co-Op sell and I am a member.

Of course, you can choose any brand you prefer and if you are using it for cooking, then be sure to choose one that is food safe.

What are your favorite uses for orris root powder?

Leave them in the comment section below!

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Where Orris Root Comes From

So my first step was to visit all of the herb nurseries within driving distance.

The first one I stopped at not only knew where orris root came from, but had plants in their display garden and was willing to dig a few rhizomes up for me.

I was thrilled, step one was accomplished, I had the plant the orris root powder came from!

Orris root powder is made from the rhizome of the Iris x germanica var florentina, often referred to as orris iris.

The pale lavender flowers appear almost white.

Once this iris is established, the rhizomes multiply rather quickly.

The key to successfully growing iris is to plant them correctly and then allow them to grow until they need dividing.

At this point, you can harvest a few rhizomes, either by digging them out and dividing the plants or simply cutting a few of the rhizomes out, but be careful not to damage the ones you leave in the ground.

Once you have harvested the rhizomes of the Iris x germanica var florentina, the next step is to turn them into orris root powder.

This is not a quick process, although possibly with the use of an electric kitchen grinder and an electric dehydrator the first steps of the process could be sped up.

However, the final step of allowing the orris root to cure takes two years.

Here is how to make orris root powder at home.

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