What are pomander balls and how to make them?
Nov 04, 2020 · A pomander ball is a whole citrus fruit, usually an orange, that has been studded with cloves. The cloves can be grouped or inserted in the fruit in a pattern. The DIY pomander balls can then be hung as ornaments, used in wreaths, or just grouped in a pretty bowl or basket.
What to do with orange pomander balls?
Pomander balls are a fancy term for oranges decorated with cloves that make your home smell amazing for the holidays. DIY pomander balls can be hung as ornaments, used in garlands, or arranged as a part of a festive holiday centerpiece.
What is a pomander used for?
A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e., apple of amber, is a ball made for perfumes, such as ambergris (hence the name), musk, or civet. A pomander can be a bag containing fragrant herbs and might be viewed as an early form of aromatherapy.
How long do pomander balls last?
Jun 21, 2020 · A pomander, in essence, is a ball made for perfume. For centuries, people would carry a pomander as a means of protection against infection and disease. Pomanders were very popular in times of widespread disease as it perfumed the air immediately around it so carrying one made it tolerable to walk streets where filth and disease resigned. (Gross)
What were pomander balls used for?
A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e., apple of amber, is a ball made for perfumes, such as ambergris (hence the name), musk, or civet.
What is a pomander ball wedding?
FDC. A pomander is also known as a kissing ball and can be made of fresh or artificial flowers. Pomanders were traditionally made with perfumes and used to lessen bad smells. Nowadays, pomanders can be seen in many weddings.
How long do dried pomander balls last?
2-6 weeksIf you don't have or don't want to use a dehydrator, you can simply leave the pomanders to dry in the paper bag in a cool, dark, dry location. Check the pomanders daily and add more of the spice mixture. Give the bag a gentle shake. Allow the pomander balls to dry for 2-6 weeks.Dec 17, 2015
How long do pomander balls last?
3-4 daysWhat is this? Display them in a bowl or on a plate for 3-4 days. After that you probably will see some mold. Display them during the day, but tuck them into the fridge at night.Dec 15, 2013
What is a kissing ball at a wedding?
A kissing ball is the same as a pomander. It is a (usually) styrofoam ball covered in real or silk flowers, with a ribbon loop at the top to carry it with. Brides sometimes have their FGs carry one instead of a basket with petals when their venue doesn't allow petals to be tossed.Aug 9, 2011
What do you fill a pomander with?
My Favorite Pomander Herbs and FlowersLemon balm.Common wormwood.Jasmine.Lad's love.Eucalyptus.Rose.Lavender.Hops.More items...•Feb 15, 2022
How do you keep pomander balls from molding?
Rotating the pomander balls every so often or hanging them with wire can help prevent mold. However, you can also learn how to dry orange pomander balls to enjoy them a little longer.Oct 15, 2021
How do you dry a pomander ball?
Drying Your Pomander Balls Once each of your citrus fruits has cloves in perfect order and design, hang them up to dry. The scent of any pomander ball comes through once the fruit has dried a little. Hanging them up can help your pomander balls dry quickly and avoid mold.Oct 8, 2021
How do you preserve a pomander ball?
If you want your pomanders to last, store in a paper bag for a few weeks. Use lots of cloves which are a natural preserving agent. The cloves will draw out the juices and they'll shrink in size. Dusting with cinnamon helps, too, as cinnamon functions as an anti-fungal.
How do you make pomander balls last?
Longer lasting pomanders To make your pomanders last longer, cover your citrus fruit in whole cloves, then place in a large bowl and cover with the optional cinnamon/spice mixture. Allow pomanders to “cure” for several weeks before attaching ribbon hangers. These “cured” pomanders will last for months, even years.Sep 28, 2007
Can you dry pomanders in the oven?
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 130°C, 275°F, Gas Mark 1 for about 4-5 hours, or until the fruit has darkened and dried out.
Why do people put cloves in apples?
Once the apple is completely covered, set it aside to dry. The cloves act as hundreds of tiny wicks that draw the juice from the apple. The juice evaporates, and as the apple dehydrates, the cloves are held firmly in place by the dried flesh, or exocarp. Air circulation is important.
History
Pomanders were first mentioned in literature in the mid-thirteenth century. They were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century. Also a version of the pomander with oranges, cloves, oils, and a golden ribbon may be used as a recovery charm in witchcraft.
Culture
A pomander is worn by Rosemary Woodhouse, in Roman Polanski 's 1968 film, Rosemary's Baby. It figures as a central part of the plot development.
Etymology
Medieval pomander paste formulas usually contained ambergris. From this came "pomme ambre" (amber apple) and from there the word pomander was developed. Other names for the pomander are Ambraapfel, Bisamapfel, Bisamknopf, Bisambüchse, balsam apple, Desmerknopf, musk ball Desmerapfel, Oldanokapsel, Pisambüchse, and smelling apple.
Step 1: Poke and stick
Getting the kids involved in the pomander ball process can be a fun (and only a little messy) Christmas activity. It's as easy as sticking whole cloves into a fresh orange.
Step 2: Create designs
Once you have the hang of adding the cloves to the orange rind, try making detailed designs. Plan out the design of each pomander ball ahead of time with a pen. Try designs like swirls, stripes, stars, or Christmas figures.
How to Use Pomander Balls
Once you've made your pomander balls, display them somewhere you'll be able to enjoy the holiday scent. Place them in a Christmas centerpiece, dress up a festive garland on a staircase or mantel display, or include them in a holiday arrangement. To create a gorgeous arrangement, we recommend filling a container with floral foam.
Other Fruit Options
Maybe orange isn’t your favorite smell—if so, don’t be deterred from making pomander balls. Other citrus fruits make great pomander balls as well! Add cloves to grapefruits, lemons, or other citrus fruits for a slightly different scent and an added pop of color. You can also mix orange pomanders with cut citrus fruit for a unique blend of scents.
Drying Your Pomander Balls
Once each of your citrus fruits has cloves in perfect order and design, hang them up to dry. The scent of any pomander ball comes through once the fruit has dried a little. Hanging them up can help your pomander balls dry quickly and avoid mold.
Sign in
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.
Easy and Fragrant Orange-Clove Pomanders
Here’s how to make pomander balls, which are simply oranges pierced by cloves. As the fruit dries, it releases a lovely fragrance. Pomanders make beautiful centerpieces, gifts for friends, tree ornaments, and air fresheners.
What Is a Pomander?
Medieval herbalists used pomanders —mixtures of fragrant, dried herbs in cloth bags or perforated boxes—to ward off illness or bring strength and good fortune.
Ideas for Using Pomanders
Arrange the cloves in special shapes and patterns. For Halloween, make a jack-o’-lantern; for Thanksgiving, try a turkey; for Christmas, a Christmas tree!
Did you know?
In earlier times, there was more at stake in the use of an "apple of amber" (the literal meaning of Anglo-French pomme de ambre, modified to "pomander" in Middle English) than the addition of holiday spirit. Pomanders were used to offset foul odors and were also believed to protect against disease.
Examples of pomander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web This annual light display includes a gnome village, Santa and his workshop, a light tunnel, crystal disco, Wishing Tree, model trains and the opportunity to make an orange and clove pomander to take home. — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov.
History and Etymology for pomander
Middle English, modification of Anglo-French pomme de ambre, literally, apple or ball of amber
Overview
A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e., apple of amber, is a ball made for perfumes, such as ambergris (hence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against infectionin times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a …
History
Pomanders were first mentioned in literature in the mid-thirteenth century. They were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century. Also a version of the pomander with oranges, cloves, oils, and a golden ribbon may be used as a recovery charm in witchcraft.
Pomanders were first made for carrying as religious keepsakes.
Ingredients
Other ingredients in the process of making pomanders are:
• Agarwood
• Ambergris
• Benzoin resin
• Calamus
Culture
A pomander is worn by Rosemary Woodhouse, in Roman Polanski's 1968 film, Rosemary's Baby. It figures as a central part of the plot development.
The pouncet box is mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part I when Hotspur is accused of withholding Scottish nobles captured in a skirmish and in self-defence pleads, in describing the King's messenger:
Etymology
Medieval pomander paste formulas usually contained ambergris. From this came "pomme ambre" (amber apple) and from there the word pomander was developed. Other names for the pomander are Ambraapfel, Bisamapfel, Bisamknopf, Bisambüchse, balsam apple, Desmerknopf, musk ball Desmerapfel, Oldanokapsel, Pisambüchse, and smelling apple.
See also
• Sachet (scented bag)
Sources
• Boeser, Knut, The elixirs of Nostradamus: Nostradamus' original recipes for elixirs, scented water, beauty potions, and sweetmeats, Moyer Bell, 1996; ISBN 1-55921-155-5
• Groom, Nigel, The new perfume handbook, Springer, 1997, ISBN 0-7514-0403-9
• Longman, Rrown, The Archaeological journal, Volume 31, Green and Longman 1874
External links
• Bisamapfel detailed function of medieval pomander in German. Use Google Translate for English.
• Medieval & Renaissance Pomanders 14th–17th century pomanders in museums
• 17th century pomander Wartski, London