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Discover the Rosewater Distillation Ceremony of Kashan

According to the Secretariat of the 54th International Physics Olympiad, the rosewater distillation ceremony takes place annually in 14 provinces of Iran, from early April to late June (depending on weather and climatic conditions). The most famous rosewater in the world comes from Kashan.

The tradition of rosewater distillation dates back 7,000 years, and the famous French traveler Chardin, during his visit to Kashan, mentioned the rose fields in this area. Due to the abundance of roses, traditional rosewater distillation became the primary and most important occupation of the people of Kashan.

Interestingly, Iranians were the first to extract rose essence from roses using the distillation method. Although Kashan rosewater now has global fame, the production of rosewater originally began in the Maimand region of Fars Province.

Before the advancement of technology and the introduction of modern distillation equipment, the people of Kashan used traditional methods to distill rosewater from Damask roses. This traditional method of rosewater extraction is one of the attractions of Kashan County, drawing many tourists each year.

In the traditional method, flower pickers harvest the roses before sunrise and, through a 4 to 7-hour distillation process, extract the rosewater. The process involves a large copper still (120-150 liters), pipes, a pitcher or jug, a copper cover, a water reservoir, and a stove. Generally, rosewater is produced using a distillation process with a cold water reservoir and a heating device.

Historical evidence indicates that Damask roses and their rosewater have been used in traditional medicine as well as for religious and cosmetic purposes. The processing of Damask roses makes them an amazing product for both culinary and beauty use. This elixir not only has a calming effect but also helps relieve headaches and can aid in treating insomnia. Washing or spraying rosewater on the face also contributes to skin clarity and freshness.