Description
Rose oil, also known as rose otto, attar of rose, or rose essence, is a highly prized essential oil extracted from the petals of various rose varieties. There are two primary methods of extraction: steam distillation for rose otto and solvent extraction for rose absolutes, with the latter being more commonly used in perfumery. The tradition of rose oil production dates back to Greater Iran, and despite its high cost, it remains one of the most widely used oils in the fragrance industry.
These compounds contribute to the oil’s exquisite fragrance, with β-damascenone being an important marker of quality. Rose oil is renowned for its complex, floral aroma, making it a luxurious and cherished ingredient in high-end perfumery.
The main producers of Rosa damascena (the primary rose species used for rose oil) include:
Bulgaria (“Bulgarian Rose”)
Turkey (“Turkish Rose”)
Saudi Arabia (“Taif Rose”)
It is also grown on a smaller scale in Armenia, Azerbaijan,Croatia, Georgia, Greece, India, North Macedonia, Oman, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
There are three main methods of extracting the oil from the plant material:
- Steam distillation, which produces an essential oil called rose otto or attar of roses.
- Solvent extraction, which results in an absolute called rose absolute.
- Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, yielding a concrete that may be marketed as a concrete, absolute or CO2 extract
