Rosa damascena or Damask Roses are a major crop in the Isparta region of Turkey. The rose heads are harvested by hand to produce oil for both the cosmetic and food industry. Traditionally produced Turkish Delight uses Damask rose oil for flavour and the perfume and cosmetic industries both employ the distilled oil for fragrance.
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- Rose Drying – Isparta, Turke
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Rose Drying – Isparta, Turkey
Millions of rose heads are laid out on the ground to dry. They need to be turned frequently to ensure even drying and this is done manually by tossing them in the air with a pitchfork.
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- Rose Harvest – Isparta, Turkey
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Rose Harvest – Isparta, Turkey
The roses are picked by hand by the villagers.
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- Damask Rose Field – Isparta, Turkey
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Damask Rose Field – Isparta, Turkey
In the fields of the province millions of roses grow for rose oil production.
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- Rose harvester, Isparta, Turkey
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Rose harvester, Isparta, Turkey
Each rose is picked by hand.
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- Rose Farmer – Isparta,Turkey
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Rose Farmer – Isparta,Turkey
The farmers take their roses to the collective weighing centre before they are transported to the distillery.
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- Rose Oil Worker – Isparta, Turkey
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- Rose Oil Distiller – Isparta, Turkey
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- Poppy, Turkey