The cultivated roses that yield our Bulgarian Damask rose oil. The Damask rose is Rosa damascena, so-called from its origin in Damascus, Syria over 2,000 years ago. It has been cultivated for essential oil production in both Bulgaria and Turkey for several centuries, where it requires very specific soil and weather conditions to thrive. In Morocco it has also thrived in the south for many centuries, although essential oil production only began after WW II.

The Damask rose thrives in the beautiful, wide Kazanluk valley in Bulgaria, also known as the 'valley of roses.' Organically grown, it requires much TLC year-round.
The yield of its steam-distilled oil is extremely low, hence its costliness and old nickname, 'rose otto' ('otto' is derived from the Arabic attar, meaning 'essence'). Despite its prohibitive cost, Rose oil is invaluable in aromatherapy for both its sublime fragrance and for its unparalleled clinical effectiveness, especially for gynecological conditions, and to this day remains an ingredient in a few high-class perfumes.

Damask rose is also cultivated elsewhere in small pockets, as by this family in one of the many Himalayan valleys in North India. This family is typical of the kind of small-scale artisanal production of essential oils found all over the world, and specializes in producing small batches of organic Rose oil.

Rose distilleries everywhere have to be dedicated to rose oil production alone, and are maintained throughout the year just in readiness for the four to six weeks of production during May and June. Steam distillation is still the preferred process, although nowadays the Damask rose absolute extract is also available.