How to Distill Apple Blossom

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

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Apple blossom oil, commonly used in candles, soaps and various skin products, has a bright, delicate floral fragrance with hints of tart apple. It is frequently used in aromatherapy to bring peace of mind, as well as to induce relaxation and feelings of happiness. Follow these steps to distill your own apple blossom oil at home.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Purchase or build your own distiller (still). The basic components of a still are a heat source (to boil the water), a grate or mesh to hold the plant materials, a condenser to capture then cool the steam, and a separator to separate the oil from the steam.

Step2

Gather whole apple blossoms, generally in the spring. Apple blossoms are extremely delicate so handle them as little as possible and distill them quickly after harvesting.

Step3

Add plenty of clean, filtered water to the still. The water level should be very near the base of the grate that holds the blossoms. Check the still frequently to ensure it doesn't run out of water at any point in the distilling process.

Step4

Pack the apple blossoms tightly into the grate. To maximize the amount of oil from each batch, do not cut or chop the blossoms.

Step5

Seal the distiller and turn on the heat. The apple blossoms begin to release their oils as the water reaches its boiling point (212 degrees F).

Step6

Watch the distiller as the concentrate begins to flow through the condenser and into the evaporator.

Step7

Filter the collected oil through a clean, dry cotton cloth and store in a dark, tightly sealed glass jar. Leave as little air in the jar as possible as oxygen will contaminate the oil.

Tips & Warnings

Commercially-made stills are fairly expensive but may be a good investment if you plan on distilling great quantities of essential oils.
Use organically grown apple blossoms when possible. Pesticides can contaminate your oil.
Do not ingest apple blossom oil.
Some distillers recommend placing delicate flowers, like apple blossoms, directly in the water. This method is easier but results in a lesser quality oil.