Thursday 09 / May / 2024
Al Jabal Al Akhdar: Nestled amidst the majestic Al Hajar Mountains, Al Ayn village in Al Jabal Al Akhdar fills the air with the delicate scent of Damask roses (Rosa Damascena), leaving the visitors enveloped in a fragrant embrace, each breath a harmonious melody of floral notes.
Acres of terrace farms adorned with pink roses create a picturesque setting at an altitude of nearly 2,700metres above sea level as visitors embark on a sensory journey through Oman's rich heritage of rose water production.
We took off from dusitD2 Naseem Resort in the evening after a sumptuous lunch with our tour guide, Mahir Al Balushi, driving us to the centuries old Al Ayn village.
The essence of Oman’s heritage and warmth was evident as we met the rose farm owner, Qais Al Amri.
Al Amri's warm smile reflected the hospitality synonymous with Omani culture, as he shared insights into the traditional art of rose picking and distillation.
Amri then guided us through narrow alleys and after crossing a small wadi running with cool water following the recent rains, we were there at the lush green and pink farm of Damask rose or Ward Al Jabal as it is locally known.
The Damask roses bloom in abundance, painting the landscape with shades of pink. Amidst the shadow of the Al Hajar mountains, we witnessed the meticulous process of rose picking, typically undertaken in the early morning hours during the season, which spans from mid-March to mid-May.
Al Amri, a custodian of this ancient tradition, emphasised the importance of passing down this craft through generations, preserving Oman's cultural heritage.
Following our exploration of the rose farms, Al Amri graciously invited us to his distillation plant, located a short drive away. Here, amidst the sweet perfume of roses, we observed the intricate process of rose water production. Traditional mud ovens, known as Al Dehjan, played a central role, as rose petals were carefully distilled to extract the fragrant rose water - a practice dating back centuries.
Many of them including Al Amri still practice the traditional techniques of extracting rose water from the harvest blossoms, a practice that dates back to ancient times. But he also has a modern system to cope up with the demands of rose water.
In the traditional manner, a gas-fuelled ground fire first steams the rose petals. As the steam rises, cold water is added into the round dish tops, which causes the steam inside the compartments to condensate. The condensation drips down an inverted cone into a steel bowl, which is how the rosewater is produced. This system is a simple gradual distillation technique that creates smoky brown distilled rosewater.
“Rose farming and then extracting rose water is a tradition steeped in the villages here for centuries. Families have passed on the art of rose picking and then extracting rose water and rose oil to the younger generations,” said Al Amri, who has a few farms across Al Jabal Al Akhdar. Besides Al Ayn, rose farms are located in Al Aqar, Saiq and Al Shuraiga villages.
Al Amri said: “Rose Oil is another famous produce of the region and the rose oil distilled within Oman is largely extracted from flowers that grow here. It requires upto thousands of petals to create a single drop, this fragrant oil remains one of the most widely used oil in perfumeries. It is also used in a variety of other ways including as a fragrance, in cosmetics, and aromatherapy.”
Asked about the number of rose plants in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Al Amri said: “There are nearly 14,000 plants and I am the owner of nearly 1,200 of those plants. The amount of rose water produced is estimated at 30,000 litres during the season. Nearly each two kilograms of harvest yields just three quarters of a litre of traditional rose water.”
An organic relationship
Al Amri's partnership with dusitD2 Naseem Resort exemplifies a commitment to community development, as the hotel sources local produce for its kitchen, supporting the livelihoods of farmers in Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
dusitD2 Naseem Resort General Manager Jagdeep Thakral emphasised the importance of such collaborations in enhancing the local community's participation in tourism activities.
Thakral said, “We have been in the forefront of community welfare as we accord top priority to local community development. We procure the local produce for our kitchen from the farms of Al Jabal Al Akhdar. During the annual rose harvest season, we wanted our guests to have an organic and immersive experience of visiting the rose farms including a hiking experience.”
He added: “And what better way than to engage a local rose farmer and distiller to take our guests around his farms and distillery. We have got an encouraging response since we started from the beginning of this month. Moreover, Qais Al Amri has rose-infused products and rose water for sale at his small factory where guests are keen to purchase as they are sure about the quality of the product.”
Thakral said: “Such projects where we join hands with local SMEs augment the local community’s gains from the tourism movement activity.”
The Damask rose of Oman, renowned for its unique scent of musk, offers a sensory experience like no other. Besides exploring the rose farms, visitors can partake in hiking trails and climbing routes, immersing themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Al Jabal Al Akhdar. From hidden wadis to terraced fruit orchards, the region captivates with its natural splendour.
Thakral said: “Besides the rose farm visits, we also organise hiking trails and climbing routes that visitors can use to explore the mountain and soak up the breathtaking beauty. Visitors will find numerous hidden wadis and terraced farms where apricots, pomegranates, olives, walnuts, and roses flourish in the cooler high-altitude temperatures. Such a stunning panoramic mountain view is a treat to watch, and we are happy that visitors, who often are families at our resort, love these experiences.”
Besides the roses in the season, Al Jabal Al Akhdar is also famed for its fruit orchards, in particular, pomegranates, which are ready for plucking in November-December as we see the trees bearing flowers now laid out in a terrace style along the slope of the mountain, watered with natural springs and Aflaj irrigation system.
So, if one loves nature and is keen to enjoy the fragrance of rose, it is time to head to Al Jabal Al Akhdar before the rose season concludes for an unforgettable experience for all senses. So, venture forth and immerse yourself in the fragrant embrace of Oman's Rose Season before it fades away.
