The aroma that enchanted the world - part 1

  The fragrance became one of the main reasons why roses became so popular. It is assumed that Rosa gallica and other ancient roses were the first to capture the hearts of people with their amazingly strong and delicious aroma. Many people, including young children, instinctively react to a rose by dipping their noses into it to inhale its scent. There are six main fragrance groups, each derived from a different type of rose. Apart from tropical epiphytic orchids, no other plant has such a wide range of completely different types of aromas.

  We are used to expecting diversity from roses: repeated flowering, variety of colors and shapes, different forms of the bush, and various growth characteristics that make them suitable for solving many problems in landscape design. However, the world of rose fragrances is equally diverse. Within the aroma of roses, one can discover scents resembling various flowers and herbs, such as violets, carnations, peonies, lilac, or thyme. Not only do they have the rich, intoxicating scent of Old Roses, such as Centifolia and Damask roses, but this fragrance has been passed down through the centuries to many modern roses. The scent of myrrh is quite rare, , particularly prevalent among the modern English Roses of David Austin. The aroma can range from fruity, such as the smell of an apple, raspberry, or black currant, or even completely exotic, to entirely exotic, such as the fragrance of mango or lychee. The majority of roses are fragrant, though in some, the scent is light and barely noticeable, as is often found in modern cutting varieties.

Crusaders bring the rose from the Middle East

  As a medicinal plant, the rose has a rich history. Even in ancient Rome, the rejuvenating power of rose petals was recognized, and people knew how to transfer the aroma of roses to olive oil and create rose water. However, it was only around the middle of the XVII century that humans managed to extract pure essential oil from roses. This essential oil was derived from one of the oldest and most historic roses, Rosa gallica var officinalis, known as the Apothecary's Rose or Red Damask. Widely cultivated in the Middle Ages for its aroma and medicinal properties, it served as the primary source of rose essential oil and medicinal substances in Europe until the introduction of rose species from the Far East. The peculiarity of certain roses, including the 'Apothecary rose', is that the aroma of their petals lingers long after drying. The belief in the therapeutic properties of this aroma dates back to ancient times.

Sweets from distilled rose water or rose jam

  Knowledge of the medicinal properties of the rose was most likely brought home by the early Crusaders from North Africa and the Middle East, where knowledge of the therapeutic, culinary and aromatic benefits of rose petals had been passed down since ancient times. Few flowers can be processed and preserved as effectively without preservatives and complex chemical manipulations. By the Middle Ages in Turkey and the Middle East, the process of turning certain roses into preserves, powders, or water was well understood. As a result, their dishes, especially sweets, were infused with the essence of roses. The buttercream and strongly flavored rosewater cakes sold in Greece, Sicily, and even parts of New York are remnants of this practice. In Turkey, to this day, the aroma is added to many dishes, both sweet and savory.

Rose garden full of frangance

  During the late Middle Ages, a distinct version of aromatherapy emerged, associating the potency of an aroma with its efficacy in treating diseases. Therefore, the robust fragrance of certain rose petals, when collected and dried, was deemed both healthful and enjoyable. Considering the hygiene practices of the Middle Ages, the noxious scent of poor sanitary conditions or ill health could be concealed by the overpowering fragrance of the rose.

  Vast numbers of R. gallica officinalis plants were cultivated from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century around the town of Provençal, southeast of Paris. The petals of these roses were harvested and processed into pastes, oils, and salves, forming a comprehensive pharmacopoeia of remedies for various tissue-damaging ailments in humans. These remedies included treatments for wounds, ulcers, amputations, as well as eye injuries and diseases.

  The rose itself has long captured the hearts of people, serving as a symbol of love and luxury. Its aroma has been cherished by mankind for centuries, making it natural for its characteristics to be utilized, and sometimes overused, for advertising purposes. In real estate ads, the flower is associated with many cities, such as Roseville. Restaurants or their sections are often named 'Under the Golden Rose' or 'Rose Garden,' where the motif of roses extends even to interior decoration. The perfume industry, centered in Grasse in the suburbs of Cannes, fully capitalizes on the rose's popularity. The concept of health frequently incorporates associations with roses, such as 'rose skin' or ‘rose lips’ while advertisers endeavor to link the fragrance with the beauty of women featured in photos on cosmetic packages. Noble individuals and the wealthy have long been patrons of rosaries, immortalized in the names of rose varieties. Even today, such instances can still be found.

  The scent of a rose is often strongest after a period of warm weather and immediately following a light rain when the atmosphere is moist. Fragrance tends to develop and change from the moment the flower opens. Therefore, it's important not to judge a rose's fragrance solely by smelling one flower: if a flower is too young or too old, it's unlikely to have a strong fragrance. Smell each variety more frequently, as aromas can significantly change from hour to hour, from day to day, from season to season, and even from year to year.