ハンザが昨日の雨のなかで咲き始めました。道に面して３本植えてあるうち真ん中の、京成バラ園から来た苗で、去年までは10号鉢で門の横に置いてあったものです。
The Hansa rose started flowering in yesterday's rain. This is one of the 3 Hansa plants growing next to the road, and it used to be in a large pot by the side of the gate until I moved it here during winter.
Flowers of the Hansa keep changing the shape during the 24 hours after opening, so I regard them as one-day flowers. It was a sunny day today and quite muggy from early morning, and this flower was sending off its strong scent.
同じ株のこの蕾は明日の朝に開花しそうです。
This one will likely open tomorrow morning.
開花中のまだ香りが強烈なうちにお茶にしようと思います。花びら、蜂蜜、香酸類（キンカンライム）が材料。キンカンライムは去年が表年だったらしく、冬を通して利用できました。
While the scent was strong, I thought I should make a cup of rose tea. The ingredients are: rose petals, honey and a limequat (any non-sweet citrus fruits). My limequat plant had a bumper year last year, and I enjoyed using the fruits throughout the winter.
これは熱湯と蜂蜜が入ったばかりで、このあと時間が経つにつれてピンクが濃くなります。
This is how it looks right after pouring hot water and adding honey. The colour will turn darker in a few minutes.
キンカンライムの汁が入っても色があせない。甘酸っぱくて美味しいお茶で、私は花びらも残さずいただきます。花びらにはスモモっぽい風味があります。
Adding the juice of limequat does not make the tea paler. It tastes sweet and sour and very delicious. I even eat the petals which has a plum flavour.
