| Organic Rose Cultivation in Turkey |  | | Suzan McCarthy-Turan describes her recent experience of working on an organic rose farm high in the mountains of Turkey and explains why she wants to go back. | Last June I had the pleasure of visiting Turkey together with a group of people with the same interest as myself: pure, organic essential oils. Primavera, my supplier of essential oils and organic body care products, organised a journey to one of their organic cultivation projects.
On arrival in Antalya we spent a day relaxing and learning about myrtle, the first plant we would see being harvested. Myrtle is known as the oil of purity, change and innocence. After travelling out of the coastal concrete jungle, we reached the countryside which was abundant with not only myrtle trees, but also agnus castus, rock rose and thyme. We joined in the harvesting and then watched the crop being processed into oil at the local distillery. Myrtle water has since become my new hair conditioner and mouthwash.
Rosa Damascena
In the evening we prepared for our next day and the main purpose of our visit - to see the source of one of the most popular essential oils, rose oil. We heard about the qualities of Rosa Damascena which we were to see being harvested at Isparta.
Not only did we learn about all the qualities of the rose with regard to emotional care, pregnancy care and its many healing properties, but also about its history and function during the Roman Empire. Back then, farmers had to grow roses instead of grain so that rose orgies could be held at the palace.
Water and shade
Turkey only started its rose oil production about 150 years ago, after a Turkish man smuggled some rose plants from Bulgaria to Turkey and went on a journey to find the perfect location. He searched for a spot that had sufficient rainfall and enough high ground to provide protection from the hot sun. Isparta in the Taurus Mountains proved to be the perfect location and the region quickly became famous for its rose production. The rose can only be harvested for six weeks of the year. To prevent the exploitation of any one species the Turkish government determines the harvesting times for all cultivation.
Dawn Scent
Although we arrived at Isparta at six in the morning, the farming families had already been handpicking the roses since four a.m. As we worked with them all we could see were vast fields of roses and all we could smell was the delicate scent of the rose. The locals don't call them fields, but rose gardens.
The flowers can only be harvested until 9.00 a.m. After that it gets too warm and too much of the scent would be lost. But it's hard to stop harvesting. Anytime you look back at the bush you have just plucked, you can see new roses which have just opened.
After work we had a traditional breakfast with our hosts. We all sat on the floor sharing the same plates of olives, feta cheese and bread. Conversation was confined to hand gestures. Photos were shown and gifts were exchanged.
Lucky Old Man
We spent the rest of the day at the wood-fired distillery where men and women work day and night distilling organic rose oil and rose water. Wood is chopped constantly to feed the flames and the temperature of the kettles is constantly checked by the old Ismail, a distiller who is over 80 years of age. He is collected every year for the harvest. He is needed not only for his expertise but also to bring luck.
Once he is there, nothing can go wrong. Women constantly make tea and börek (a filo pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese) over an open fire. All this happens on the ground, where they make, shape and roll the dough until it's paper-thin. Everything is calm and the smell of rose is bewitching.
Turkish Inspections
Nuri, the owner of the organic distillery explained all the red tape that was necessary to obtain organic certification. He described the way farmers are required to cultivate their roses and what methods are available to deal with potential pests. He told us that there some people who try to cheat and about the ways farms are constantly monitored to make sure these people are caught.
Meeting of Cultures
In the afternoon we shared experiences with our hosts. The women thought we were all really smart because we travelled so far by ourselves. The Turkish women impressed us, because of all the things they could do with food, fabric and nature. We gave them little hand massages with our organic rose body lotion to show them one of the ways their product is used. Their children were delighted with their sweets and little gifts. To these Turkish people, it seems crazy to spend money just for the privilege of working with them. To us it seems mad not to want to go again.
We had stepped back many years in time. And even a half-Turk like me saw a new yet still old Turkey. Our hosts were insulted when we asked them about political issues. Their world has nothing to do with politics. They live a natural and unspoilt life, just as they've always done. As we left them many tears flowed with our goodbyes. We all carried a rose close to our heart as a farewell gift. But long after this blossom had withered, this rose will remain in my heart, together with all the wonderful people I met, .
Back To The Present
Reality hit us like a thunderbolt when we arrived back at Antalya international airport. Apparently it is one of the busiest tourist airports in the world. We were greeted by tanned 'beautiful' people and the blaring sounds of summer disco hits. It seemed like we had come out of a time machine.
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