It might surprise you to know that the cliffs of Jabal Akhdar, in Oman, are home to 7000 Damascus rose bushes, fondly referred to by the locals as the “mountain rose”. Even though the region is arid with minimal rain, the orchards are watered by a 100-year-old communal irrigation system turning this area into a flowering spectacle.
Between, March – May, farmers rise at damn to hand pick rose petals before putting them through a daily two-step distillation process using traditional mud ovens and copper urns. The boiled infusion is then filtered and allowed to rest for a minimum of 30 days to produce the most intense smoky rose water that is sought after by all and rightfully so, because 2kg of petals only generates 750ml of the prized essence.
