Totally underrated and in my opinion, not used often or creatively enough, rose water is one of those obscure little ingredients that is finding it's way back into my kitchen. Especially with Valentine's Day coming up, this may be a creative and delicious way to spice up your day! So what is it? Rose water is a distillation of rose petals that has the intensely perfumy flavor and fragrance of its source. It has been a popular flavoring for centuries in the Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese cuisines. And in addition to culinary uses it is also used in religious ceremonies and as a fragrance in some cosmetics.