Saudi Arabia’s Taif rose season begins, producing over 550 M blossoms annually
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) – The annual production season for Tola, the esteemed Taif rose oil, has officially commenced in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of a time-honored process that yields one of the Kingdom’s most celebrated natural products.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, nearly 70 distillation workshops and factories are now operational across the elevated landscapes of Taif’s mountainous region.
These facilities utilize traditional distillation methods to extract more than 80 derivatives from the iconic Taif rose.
The products enjoy high demand both locally and internationally, known for their fragrance, purity, and cultural significance.
With an estimated 550 million roses harvested annually, Taif’s rose farms have become a prominent symbol of both economic value and heritage in the region.
Local farmer Khalaf Al-Tuwairqi, whose family has been involved in rose cultivation for generations, shared insights into the meticulous process.
Speaking with SPA, he explained that rose harvesting traditionally begins at dawn. Al-Tuwairqi, who inherited the distillation craft from his father, operates a traditional workshop on his family’s farm.
He noted that Tola—the concentrated rose oil—is extracted immediately following the harvest. Each day, between 80,000 and 100,000 roses are placed in large copper distillation pots, depending on their capacity.
Heat is applied beneath the pot to generate steam, which travels through a pipe fitted into the lid and into a water-cooled container.
The vapor then condenses into liquid droplets, collecting in a vessel known as a talqiyah, which typically holds between 20 and 35 liters. As the distillate settles, the pure rose oil rises to the surface and is carefully extracted.
Al-Tuwairqi explained that approximately 70,000 roses are required to produce a single Tola of oil.
Historically, this process took place in fire pits built within mud-brick enclosures, ranging from one to three meters in length and about a meter in height.
Steam from the rose petals was cooled and condensed into oil, which was then bottled in small glass vials.
The resulting products—rose oil and rose water—are prized for their aromatic qualities and are widely used in perfumery, culinary applications, and traditional practices.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
