Creating Fall Potpourri
This example uses many foraged objects such as pine cones, spruce twigs, acorns, sumac seed, and sweet gum balls. There are dehydrated fruit slices added as well. Anise and clove are also added. Essential oils are used to add a stronger scent.
There is no one way to make holiday potpourri.
You can source your material in the fall outdoors as well as purchase them.
Regarding dehydrated oranges, lemons, and limes:
You can slice and dehydrate yourself or purchase them already dehydrated.
Dehydrating Fruit Slices:
Slice the fruit. I found that a fruit slicer made it faster and easier to create slices of consistent thickness.
Dehydrate in the oven on 175 temp or in a dehydrator. I use a dehydrator at 115 degrees for 12 hours. The slices need to be very dry, other wise moisture can cause problems if the slices are stored for a few months.
Adding Scent to Your Potpourri
You can use essential oils or scents made for food flavoring. I like to stick to the following flavors (cinnamon, clove, butter scotch, vanilla and mint, and orange). You can combine flavors.
Keeping the scent over time
You can store the potpourri in a sealed container or add more essential oils as they scent fades.
Caution:
Candles can be used but make sure they are in their own container. Pine cones in particular can be flammable. Don't leave candles unattended. If in doubt use a LED candle.
Some essential oils will strip finish from wood furniture so apply essential oil away from wood furniture. I like to apply to the pine cones in my mix.
Be careful around children they may see the fruit slices and cranberries as edible.
To use your potpourri
Place in a bowl. Arrange as you like. To add a christmas theme add cranberries, pine stems, holly berries.
