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The Secret of Two Roses: What are the Unique Differences Between Damascus and Round-leaved Rose Oils?
Rose oil, also known as rose essential oil, is essential oil extracted from the petals of many species of roses. The most common extraction methods currently are steam distillation and solvent extraction. The one obtained by distillation is called rose oil, while the one obtained by extraction is called rose absolute oil. These oils originated in the ancient Greater Persia region (present-day Iran). In perfume making, rose oil remains one of the most widely used fragrances, despite its high price and the rise of organic synthetic products.
In the production of rose oil, there are two main types of roses: Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia. According to market research, the production of Damascus roses is mainly occupied by Bulgaria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The products of these three regions are called "Bulgarian Rose", "Turkish Rose" and "Taif Rose" respectively.
"The aroma of Damascus rose is known for its rich composition, the main components of which include limonene, carveol and nonane."
Composition and properties of Damascus rose oil
The composition of Damascus rose oil varies, but according to international standard surveys, the main components include: limonene (20-34%), carveol (15-22%) and nonane (8-15%). In addition, there are small amounts of compounds such as √-damacene ketone and β-damacene, which, although present in low concentrations in the oil, have a huge impact on the formation of aroma.
"Citral is the most common aroma contributor among single ingredients, which is why it is often used to enrich the scent of rose oil."
Characteristics of Rose Absolute Oil
Unlike the Damascus rose, the round-leaved rose does not produce rose oil directly because the fragility of its petals makes it unsuitable for distillation. Round-leaf rose absolute oil is mainly composed of more than 50% aromatic ethanol, and the remaining components are similar to the chemical composition of Damascus rose, which makes it also have a place in perfume making.
Complexity of the production process
The production process of rose oil is extremely cumbersome and requires a lot of manual labor. Flower picking usually takes place in the early morning before sunrise, and distillation must be completed within the same day. The main methods for extracting rose oil include steam distillation, solvent extraction, and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages and affects the aroma and quality of the final product.
"The choice of extraction method directly affects the authenticity and durability of the aroma, thereby affecting market demand."
Comparison of appearance and aroma
Damascus rose oil is usually light yellow in color and clear at room temperature. When heated moderately, some components of the oil will crystallize and become viscous, while the absolute oil of round-leaved rose is more reddish-brown in color and has fewer crystals. These visual differences, to some extent, reflect the differences in their composition.
Fake products on the market
Given the high cost of extracting rose oil, there are many "rose oils" on the market that are mixed with cheaper vegetable oils. These oils may contain up to 90% other oils, affecting the consumer experience. Consumers need to be vigilant about this type of fraud and choose to purchase from trustworthy sources.
ConclusionIn summary, the difference between Damascus rose oil and round-leaf rose oil is not only reflected in their ingredients and production process, but also in their market value and uses. As the demand for essential oils increases, understanding the characteristics and differences between these two rose oils will help consumers make more informed choices. Among the wide variety of rose products, which oil can truly present the fragrance of roses?
