Rose water or Golab is a liquid remaining when rose petals and water are distilled together for the purpose of making rose oil. Rose water is made from a very sweet smelling kind of rose called Mohammadi Rose (Rosa damascena or Damask rose) .This kind is among the most important roses in the world. At present, Mohammadi Rose is produced in Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, India, Ukraine, the US, Canada, France, Britain and Japan. The first four countries are pioneers in the production of this flower. The red rose, or Mohammadi rose, is further divided into seven groups: French red flower, wild rose, tea flower, miniature red flower, Bengalese red flower, and Iranian red flower.
Out of all rose species, the Iranian red flower or Mohammadi flower is unique and most botanists have opined that it has been first planted in Iran and then taken to other countries. Production of rosewater in Iran dates back to over 2,500 years. In Iran, Mohammadi Rose grows in the provinces of Fars, Kerman, Isfahan as well as East and West Azarbaijan; which Ghamsar is more important than others. Meymand too is another hub for Rose water festival. It is located in south of Fars province. Most famously, this fragrant ablution has been used to wash the Holy Kaaba of Mecca. The people of Ghamsar collect roses, boil them in special pots and collect their water in beautiful containers.
History of Rose Water
Usage of this liquid dates back, at least, to the early Romans, but production with steam distillation was probably first used by Iranian polymath and philosopher Avicenna in the 10th century. Experts believe that Ghamsar has been a place for producing flower and rose water since a long time ago. Some believe that under Malekshah the Seljuk, when Miyandeh Mosque of Ghamsar was built, representative of an East Roman officials picked some roses from the slopes of Kouh Asbi mountain near Ghamsar and took them to Damascus (which was called Damask in those times) to be grown. This is why Iranian red flower is sometimes called Damask rose in English.
Process of Rose Water
Very Early in the morning and before sunrise, the flower-picking women and men go to gardens and pick the roses with their stems intact because it contains a unique and lasting fragrant. Then they clean and heat the flowers in copper steam boilers; after that the steam is cooled and changes into an aromatic liquid called Golab. This is distilled through aluminum pipes and collected in traditional clay. In the past years people used clay pots instead of copper pots because it has had more advantages. For instance, it did not burn the fragrance of the flower. A steady and mild flame during the whole process plays an important role in the quality of rose water. In other words, the longer distillation process and the steadier flame, the higher quality of the Rose water.
The Rose Water Festival Time
Every year from early May to mid-June, festival of Rose and Rose Water season will be held in kashan and Ghamsar. In this time, the entire town is filled with the heady fragrance of roses.
Rose Water Usage
The uses of rose water are varied and numerous Since a long time ago, rose water was used in traditional medicine to remedy stress and insomnia ,treat chronic diarrhea, rheumatic pains, blood abnormalities ,also fragrances and facial creams .In addition to all the above mentioned usages, Iranian use it in their traditional dishes and sweets.
Rose Water Tour Itinerary
Visiting this festival can be a lot of fun, especially for the nature lovers. It will be delightful to spend time in heavily scented gardens, after a day's hectic schedule. Fragrant flowers not only perfume the air with their lovely aroma, but also provide a visual treat, with their bright colors and attractive petals. In fact, the 'flower power' has a magical quality, which adds substance to any planting scheme of a garden.