Rose, Otto (Rosa damascena) France

Otto of Rose, also known as Attar of Rose is made from the Damask Rose best grown in the Kanzanlak valley of Bulgaria. This oil is processed using steam distillation. The rose is highly valued in all cultures and in all religions. It is associated with the mother goddess or Aphrodite in pagan religions and just as strongly associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity. Some species of rose grows in almost every climate in every country around the world. According to archeologists, it has been around since the Tertiary era. The high price on Otto of Rose comes from the fact that it takes 2,000 pounds of rose petals to make only one ounce of essential oil. That translates to 400,000 flowers, or approximately 67 flowers per drop of the oil. Two and a half acres of cultivated Rosa damascena produces approximately one kilogram of the essential oil. This specific type of rose is generally not found growing wild. The flowers are harvested early in the morning and taken to large distillerie