Re: Re: do you top off your tincture?

[Guest guest]

I am refering to cases in which I remove and replace (there's a word for this

too... any idea what that one is?) the scented material frequently to achieve a

stronger tincture.

not sure whether you top off everytime you fill the jar and see there is more

plant than menstruum (thanks for that word Dara), or how often if at all

Hemla

Hi Hemla -

Yes, you will lose some scented alcohol each time you remove the material for a

re-charge.  When I do this I do not add more alcohol because it just weakens the

tincture.  I can often press out some of the alcohol when I filter the flowers

(or whatever) out.  If you use cheesecloth or paper filters just squeeze the

material to get as much alcohol out as you can.  Whatever you do, you will most

likely end up with less alcohol than you started with but it's worth it to get

the stronger scent.

Hope this helps -

Elise

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

A trick that I use when pressing plant material that I find a cinch is using a

french press one would use for coffee....I get a good squeeze and it is easy to

pour into any containers that you may use for storing or selling.

In gratitude,

Varga

www.AromaticTraditions.com

 

KNOW what magic you have to do. WILL yourself to do it. DARE to be ingenious and

inspired. And don't tell anyone know what you're doing until you achieve your

goal. --Brezney

[Guest guest]

Thank you, that was my thought process about adding alcohol, I haven't been

squeazing out the flowers though because I was afraid I might be squeasing some

of the faecal smell that often accompanies blossoms in the background... don't

know why, just a gut feeling. I will try squeasing them now.

another question: if I can dry a plant and still maintain it's scent, why not

dry them completely -to lower the water content, instead of just letting 'em

wilt?

or will this cause them to drink up even more of the alcohol while sitting in

the alcohol?

Thanks again

Hemla

Hi Hemla -

I don't do flowers a lot but you might try gentle squeezing as a test. I usually

put my filter paper in a funnel and push down gently on whatever I'm filtering. 

You could try it with a different container so if there is an off-note you won't

get it in your tincture.  Maybe someone else has experience.

I haven't done dried flowers but it might be fun to experiment.

Elise

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