Simmer pots bring the scents of the season indoors
Fall is upon us, and with it comes the rich aromas of the season. Fall scents and simmer pots go hand in hand, adding warmth and coziness to the air inside as days grow shorter and cooler outside.
A simmer pot, sometimes called stove top potpourri, is a pot of water infused with natural ingredients like fruits, spices, and herbs. It fills the air with pleasant aromas as the water simmers and steams.
The popularity of simmer pots has seen a resurgence recently, fueled by social media, increased interest in natural, sustainable air freshening options, and the simple reward of creating an affordable and customizable home fragrance. In Colorado’s arid climate, simmer pots offer an added bonus of humidifying our dry air. Experimenting with different combinations is fun; simmer pots can be assembled with ingredients you have on hand, or you can build specific combinations as far as your imagination takes you.
While any pot can be used, cast iron, glass, and slow cookers are ideal choices because of their even heat distribution. Start with the basic building blocks of simmer pot ingredients: fresh or dried fruit, natural botanicals like pine cones and pine needles, fresh or dried herbs and spices, and extracts or essential oils. Cover the ingredients with water and simmer over very low heat.
Continue to fill with water as it simmers off. The pot can be refrigerated and reheated for a second use; when finished, the ingredients can be composted.
GREAT FOR GIFTS
Simmer pot kits are great to share — fill a clear treat bag or lidded glass jar with dried ingredients and tie with a gift tag.
To get you started, here are a few simmer pot recipes inspired by the autumn scents of Colorado’s diverse landscape.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAGIC
- Handful of pine needles or a few drops of pine essential oil
- 2-3 cedar sprigs
- 2-3 pine cones
- 2-3 sprigs rosemary
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
WESTERN SLOPE HARVEST
- 3-4 slices apple, pear, or combination
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 8-10 whole cloves
- 1-2 star anise pods
HIGH PLAINS BREEZE
- 3-4 sprigs sage
- 3 bay leaves
- 1-2 sprigs juniper
- 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
- 2-3 lemon slices
Mary Peck is a content creator who connects people with practical tips, ideas, and information to help them prosper. She lives with her family in Northern Colorado.
