Taif Rose Oil Production Season Begins, Highlighting Heritage and Global Demand

Taif, April 6 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The annual production season for Taif rose oil, known locally as Tola, has commenced across the mountain farms of Taif, marking the start of a time-honored distillation process that has positioned the region as a global center for premium rose oil production.

Nearly 70 factories and traditional workshops are currently operating throughout the highlands of Taif, where more than 550 million roses are harvested each year. These are used to produce over 80 derivatives of the Taif rose, prized both locally and internationally for their unique fragrance and cultural significance.

The rose oil extraction process remains rooted in tradition. According to Khalaf Al-Tuwairqi, a local farmer, rose harvesting typically begins at dawn and continues until sunrise. Al-Tuwairqi, who inherited the craft from his father, explained that between 80,000 and 100,000 roses are loaded daily into copper pots for distillation.

The technique involves placing the petals into the pots, heating them to generate steam, and channeling the vapor through a cooling system that condenses it into a glass vessel known as a Talqiyah. The rose oil, or Tola, naturally separates and rises to the surface of the water within the container.

Traditionally, this process was carried out using mud-brick structures equipped with fire pits, where the same distillation method yielded small quantities of pure rose oil and rose water, both valued for use in perfumery, culinary products, and ceremonial purposes.

Al-Tuwairqi noted that producing a single Tola—roughly 11.7 grams—can require up to 70,000 roses, reflecting the precision and care involved in the craft.

The Taif rose industry, deeply embedded in the region’s heritage, also plays a key economic role, attracting international interest and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to promote cultural tourism and artisanal industries in line with Vision 2030.