Taif Rose Perfume: Rose Water, Rose Oil and Oud

The Taif Rose Harvest

Taif roses bloom only once a year, with a harvest that begins in March and lasts 35 to 45 days, according to UNESCO.

Farmers and their families gather the blooms in the early morning hours when they are at their peak. UNESCO lists the cultural practices related to these roses on its Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.

Distillation and Production

The distillation process yields 3 distinct products: regular rose water, concentrated rose water, and rose oil. This method was refined by Arab and Persian chemists in the medieval Islamic world.

In traditional workshops, roses are placed in large copper vessels with water. Vapour travels through pipes to cooling vessels, known locally as al-multaqa, where it condenses into rose water and pure rose oil.

Rose oil is a mixture of volatile essential oils obtained by steam-distilling crushed petals, while rose water is a by-product of the same process. More than 910 farms in Taif work with around 70 factories and workshops, producing over 80 rose-derived products, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Rose Water Strengths and Cultural Uses

Taif rose water is produced in specific strengths, including maa al-aroos at up to 80%, al-thanu at up to 50%, and al-sayer at up to 20%.

Communities use rose water and oil in beauty products, traditional dishes, and to flavour drinks. It is also used in making perfumes, bakhoor, and cosmetics, and is given as a gift to friends and family.

One local custom involves throwing fresh petals in front of guests to celebrate their arrival. Additionally, Taif rose oil has been used in the annual washing of the Kaaba.

Oud and Rose Pairing

International perfume brands have purchased Taif rose oil for their blends. In perfumery, oud is generally used as a base note and is traditionally paired with rose.

Perfumes that list these notes are collected on the Taif rose note and rose note pages.

More background is in our Taif rose story and what is oud.

Catalogue Perfumes

The Armaf Profumi D'Art 07 Rosa del Deserto is an Eau de Parfum featuring a heart note of Rose Of Taif. The Swiss Arabian Enigma of Taif also lists Taif rose as a heart note.

The Abdul Samad Al Qurashi Safari Homme includes Taif Rose in its top notes. Ajmal Farah is a perfume oil with rose in the heart.

The Ajmal Oudh & Rose is a perfume oil featuring rose and oud. Ajmal Alf Laila O Laila is an Eau de Parfum with rose in the heart and oud in the base.

Sources

• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Cultural practices related to Taif roses
• Saudi Press Agency: Taif Roses: Fragrant Beauty that Delights (2024)
• وكالة الأنباء السعودية: ماء الورد الطائفي نتاج عمليات القطف والتقطير (2026)
• Wikipedia (EN): Rose water
• ويكيبيديا (AR): ورد طائفي
• Wikipedia (EN): Agarwood