A MOHAMMADI ROSE

Ghaffari — The oldest people of Qamsar claim that it was the first city in Iran to harvest rose water. Rose water production has been a part of the culture for at least seven hundred years. Anyone in this country would know Qamsar as the city of fragrance and rose water. Even in countries around the world the city's reputation is widely known and respected. The Holy Ka'aba in Mecca, which is the most sacred mosque for the Islamic religion, is washed twice a year during the Haj season and Ramadan with the rose water of Qamsar. In general, the village is synonymous with the Mohammadi rose flower.

Ghaffari — This was my father's profession. He is now ninety years old. I started pursuing this profession when I was sixteen. I am now sixty-five and the roses have been a part of my life all of these years.

Ghaffari — Roses are a flower crop that has a volatile fragrance. In the direct sunlight, the breeze will allow its fragrance to escape by the minute. Therefore we must pick the flowers in the morning. The roses will be transferred to the processing facility where they are distilled to make both the precious oil and the water. The process, from harvest to distillation, must happen within twenty-four hours of the picking, or the quality is inferior.

Ghaffari — In terms of quality, it is superior here. We call the method golabe do atishe, or double-fired rose water. We toss the flowers, and pour rose water on top of the petals instead of pure water which is used in other places. So our rose water is essentially a rose water that is heated twice. This is what allows for the potency and high quality of the product. In terms of scent and quality, this rose water is the best in the world.

Ghaffari —There are a wide variety of uses. It is used for perfume, as well as health tonics, and beauty elixirs. But it is used traditionally in cooking here. This is what comes as a surprise to some. When you smell pure rose water, the scent should be like the smell of the flower itself when it has just been picked. And when you use it to cook, the dish will carry the fragrance of the flowers.

Ghaffari — There are economical benefits linked to this tradition. Our product is high in demand and makes the living out of it successful, but it also makes sense from an environmental perspective. We are facing a water shortage during this season, and roses are a good choice because they require little water and really prosper in our climate.
For both the harvesters and the rose water producers, this work is done with passion and enthusiasm. People count the moments down to the flower season. And guests come, and the flower season creates a rare sense of festivity, warmth, and joy in our region.