Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s interpretation of an old Persian fable of unrequited love. The story follows the search for true love through the discovery of a blood red rose. Originating in Persia around 900BC, Rosa ×damascena has petals rich in fragrant oils and has been grown for centuries for oil extraction and rose water. A mixture of Rosa moschata, R. gallica and R. fedtschenkoana, this rose was so popular that by the 9th century AD, 30,000 bottles of rosewater were being supplied to Baghdad each year. The industry continues today, largely in Bulgaria, where 10,000 flowers are picked at dawn, steeped in water, boiled and repeatedly distilled to obtain the purest essence of only 10cc of rose attar – more valuable weight for weight than gold. Top of Page Print This Page
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s interpretation of an old Persian fable of unrequited love. The story follows the search for true love through the discovery of a blood red rose.
Originating in Persia around 900BC, Rosa ×damascena has petals rich in fragrant oils and has been grown for centuries for oil extraction and rose water. A mixture of Rosa moschata, R. gallica and R. fedtschenkoana, this rose was so popular that by the 9th century AD, 30,000 bottles of rosewater were being supplied to Baghdad each year. The industry continues today, largely in Bulgaria, where 10,000 flowers are picked at dawn, steeped in water, boiled and repeatedly distilled to obtain the purest essence of only 10cc of rose attar – more valuable weight for weight than gold.
