How to prepare a simmer pot with the typical scents of the winter season

Every season is characterized by its set of scents, and winter is certainly no exception. Despite the cold and wet, winter is notable for its pleasant smells - typically warm and welcoming - and sharply contrasting with the harsh climate.

To bring the scents of winter into our homes, we have various options, and one of the most evocative is undoubtedly the Simmer Pot. Simmer means "slow cooking" and refers to how this pot is prepared to create a fragrant infusion of fruits and spices.

So, what is a simmer pot and how can we prepare one?

Preparing a simmer pot: basic instructions

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A simmer pot can be prepared at any time of the year, varying the ingredients for the season and with the basic procedure remaining the same.

Firstly, you need to get a small pot and fill it up to the three-quarters mark with water, put the lid on and bring this to a boil. Lower the heat and take off the lid when the pot starts emitting steam. Then, add the chosen ingredients (see below), and maintain the simmer over a low heat, ensuring that the water level never goes below halfway in the pot and topping up when necessary.

Thanks to this simple method, your home will always be pleasantly scented, and you can choose your favorite fragrances according to the season (or your mood).

Ingredients for a winter simmer pot

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For a winter scent, you can use the following ingredients in your simmer pot:

• Apple, cinnamon, orange, and cloves: This combination will spread a delightful aroma of apple pie throughout your home.
• Spiced and festive simmer pot: Use slices of apple and citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit. Add sprigs of rosemary, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a spicey, festive scent.
• Red cranberries, orange, allspice, rosemary, cloves, and cinnamon: all these ingredients are iconically Christmassy.
• Purifying fragrance: For a purifying, cleansing scent, choose orange, sage, cinnamon, anise, rosemary, juniper, and bay.
• All Saints' Day celebration: Select a blend of sugared oranges, apples, lemons, cloves, rosemary, bay, rose, black pepper, and cinnamon.

In general, we recommend warming up your winter days with the intense aromas of apple and citrus, the warm notes of spices, the sweetness of vanilla, and earthy touches of eucalyptus, juniper, or pine.

Get your ingredients ready; it's time to fire up your simmer pot!