Generally speaking, the more your fruit is covered in cloves, the longer it will last. Simple clove studded fruit (like in the photo at right) should last a few fragrant weeks. You’ll find directions below for making pomanders that last months, even years!
What does putting cloves in an orange do?
These oranges decorated with cloves are also called pomanders or pommes d’ambre in French. This is a traditional Christmas decoration dating back to the Middle Ages. The scent of oranges and cloves were used to ward off evil spirits and to stay healthy. Today, this tradition has been somewhat lost.
How do you preserve a pomander ball?
Display them during the day, but tuck them into the fridge at night. This with lengthen their life by a few days. Some spice shops sell orrisroot powder, which you can dust on the pomander as a preserving agent. Suspend them with kitchen twine and hang them in a cool, dark place to try for about week.
How long does an apple pomander last?
Your Easy Handmade Pomander Ball will last for many, many years! And, actually, remain quite fragrant. We have had ours for over 20 years.
How do you keep pomander balls from molding?
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.
What is an orange with cloves called?
So what is a pomander ball? It is simply a piece of fruit, traditionally an orange, that has been pierced by cloves and dried so that it lets off a wonderful aroma.
How do you make an orange and clove air freshener?
Instructions
- Poke holes in the oranges or tangerines with the nail or the wooden skewer a few at a time and insert the cloves. Optional: Make designs and add ribbon with straight pins.
- Lay the finished Clove and Orange Pomander Balls on a cookie rack for 24 hours to dry.
- These will last forever.
Why were oranges put in Christmas stockings?
They’re said to represent a gift of gold from Saint Nicholas
The father eventually found out who the gift giver was and was so moved he told everyone in town about Nicholas. This was not only the origin of Santa Claus but also one reason for oranges—which represent bags of gold—in our stockings.
Why did my pomander mold?
Your finished pomander balls will only stay fresh for 3-4 days in a bowl at room temperature. You can extend their life by refrigerating them at night. After a few days, however, you will probably begin to see mold. The best way to keep your pomanders long term is to dry them.
Can I dry pomanders in an oven?
can you dry pomanders in the oven? You can dry them in a sunny windowsill or alternatively in the oven. Use a preheated oven to 130°C, 275°F for about 4-5 hours, or until the fruit has darkened and dried out.
How do you make orange and clove pomander balls?
How to Make Orange and Clove Pomander Balls. Take firm oranges and stud them with whole cloves. That’s it! You can also use a toothpick to make pre-made holes; this is helpful for children because the cloves can hurt their little hands (and ours).
How do you dry orange 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. 5 Alternatively, place the fruit in a paper bag and pop in a warm airing cupboard for 3-4 weeks to dry out.
How do you make spiced orange pomanders?
Pierce the skin of the orange with the cocktail stick and set in the cloves, either in a pattern or to completely cover the orange. Mix the orris root powder and ground cinnamon and put in a paper bag or on a sheet of greaseproof paper. Roll the orange in these spices.
What is the purpose of a pomander?
pomander, small metal (sometimes china) container designed to hold a ball of aromatic spices or herbs. Worn suspended from neck or girdle or attached to the finger by a ring, it was believed to be a protection against infections and noxious smells.
How do you treat pomander balls?
Curing Your Pomander
I love cloves and cinnamon, so I use those for the bulk of my curing mixture, along with a bit of ginger and nutmeg. Place your finished pomander in a bowl with the ground spices and, using a spoon, start to coat the entire ball. It will smell divine and you may swoon from the pleasure of it all.
Where did pomander balls originate?
Making Orange Pomanders is favorite Holiday pastime in Modern times. And the scent of Orange, Clove and Cinnamon has become the signature scent of the Fall and Winter Holidays. However, the origin of the Orange Pomanders traces back 500 years to Medieval Europe.
How do you make a christingle orange with cloves?
An orange. A red ribbon. Dried fruits and sweets on skewers or cloves. A lit candle.
Now for the fun part!
- Tie a ribbon around the middle of your orange.
- Cut a small cross in the top of your orange and lay a square of silver foil (1cm square) over the cross.
- Place a candle on top and wedge it firmly into the orange.
Where did cloves in oranges come from?
Image courtesy of Wikimedia. Cloves (also from the French word for nail) are actually dried flower buds from the Syzygium Aromaticum plant — a kind of tropical evergreen tree found in African and Asian countries around the equator and were a hot trade commodity around the 15th century.
What do you put in an orange at Christmas?
Place the candle in the orange.
Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story:
- The orange represents the world.
- The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ.
- The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations – including the 4 seasons.
Do cloves repel fruit flies?
The strong smell of cloves (which fruit flies find disgusting) will keep them away, so they won’t enter doorways, windows, or any other openings if cloves are nearby. They can even help fruit flies flee if they’re already there. Oranges also work well, too.
How do I make my house smell good with cloves?
Spices: Instead of using commercial air fresheners, simply toss a handful of whole cloves or a cinnamon stick in a pot of water and keep it simmering on the stove for half an hour. Or place a teaspoon or two of the ground spices on a cookie sheet and place it in a 200°F (93°C) oven with the door ajar for 30 minutes.