Hydrosol High: Immerse Yourself in the Aromatic World of Botanical Waters - TBA

Hydrosol High

Immerse Yourself in the Aromatic World of Botanical Waters

Free Community Class — Choose Your Format
New 2026 Date Coming Soon

FREE

In-Person: Light Cellar Teaching Kitchen (limited seats)
Online: Live via Zoom

Pre-register to join the waitlist. When the next date is announced, those on the waitlist will be the first to receive registration details.

Discover the aromatic world of botanical waters

What happens when you take fresh flowers, leaves, needles, roots, and other botanicals and capture their aromatic essence through the ancient art of distillation?

You get a hydrosol.

Part herbal preparation, part aromatic experience, and part culinary ingredient, hydrosols offer one of the most beautiful and versatile ways to experience plants.

Join Malcolm Saunders for a sensory exploration of these remarkable botanical waters and discover how they're made, what makes them different from essential oils and other herbal preparations, and the many ways they can become part of everyday life.

You'll spritz, sip, smell, taste, and experience your way through a selection of Light Cellar's handcrafted hydrosols while learning practical ways to choose and use them.

In this class, you'll discover:

• What hydrosols are and how they're created
• The art and science of steam distillation
• How hydrosols differ from essential oils and other herbal extracts
• How different plants produce dramatically different aromatic waters
• How to choose hydrosols based on their aroma, character, and intended use
• Ways to incorporate hydrosols into skincare and personal care rituals
• How to use aromatic botanical waters to create atmosphere and sensory experiences
• Creative ways to use hydrosols in drinks, foods, and recipes

See a hydrosol being made

One of the best ways to understand hydrosols is to experience the distillation process firsthand.

We'll explore the journey from plant → still → botanical water, looking at how fresh and dried plants are distilled and what happens as their aromatic compounds are captured in water.

For in-person participants, you'll have the opportunity to experience the aromas as they emerge and see this traditional herbal craft in action.

Spritz. Sip. Smell. Experience.

This isn't simply a class about hydrosols—it's an opportunity to experience them.

In-person participants will sample their way through a selection from Light Cellar's collection of handcrafted hydrosols, exploring the differences in aroma, flavour, character, and application between plants.

You may encounter familiar favourites alongside seasonal or limited hydrosols created from locally grown and wild-harvested plants.

The goal is to leave knowing not only what a hydrosol is, but which ones you love and how you might actually use them.

Choose your experience:

In-Person

For the fullest sensory experience, join us in the Light Cellar Teaching Kitchen where you'll be able to:

• Experience the live distillation
• Smell and sample multiple hydrosols
• Explore different plants and preparations
• Ask questions and interact directly
• Discover your own favourite botanical waters

Online

Join us live from wherever you are for:

• The complete teaching session
• A close-up look at the distillation process
• Practical demonstrations and applications
• Live Q&A
• Access to the recording after the event

Who this is for:

• Anyone curious about hydrosols and botanical waters
• Herbalists and plant lovers
• People interested in natural skincare and personal care
• Home cooks, drink makers, and creative food enthusiasts
• Anyone wanting new ways to experience and connect with plants

No previous herbal knowledge is required.

Instructors

with Malcolm Saunders & Vivian Safaris

Malcolm Saunders — Founder of Light Cellar, herbalist, wildcrafter, author, and longtime maker of handcrafted hydrosols and botanical preparations.

Vivian Safaris — General Manager of Light Cellar and founder of Apothiki Natural Foods, an artisan herbal business bringing wild-harvested and organically grown herbs and generations of herbal tradition from Mount Olympus, Greece, to Calgary.

Please register thoughtfully

Space is limited for the in-person experience, so we ask that you only register if you genuinely plan to attend.

If your plans change, cancelling your registration helps open spots for others who would love to join.

After you register:

All participants will receive:

• A reminder email with full event details
• A Zoom link for online attendees
• Access to the recording after the class
• Any relevant notes or resources shared during the session

If you can't attend live, you're still welcome to register and watch the replay.