But the villagers' race against the sun to pick the moist, pink flowers that produce the oil is becoming more urgent as they say climate change is making the valley hotter and drier.
"Roses like cold nights, dew in the morning and hot days in spring," said Nedko Nedkov, who runs a research institute on roses and rose oil in Kazanlak. [...] "But now, there is not enough dew, sometimes there is none. The roses are becoming too thin."
— From Bulgarian Valley Turns From Guns to Roses in the New York Times.
Fascinating and informative. Thanks for the link, Robin. It's good to know more about what goes into the fragrances we usually appreciate on a far less socio-economic level. I hope that Bulgaria's rose growers will find a way to thrive; it's clearly becoming an increasingly challenging way to make a living.
Fascinating article, always good to know the background (and politics) of the industry.
But good to be aware of these things.
Robin, it is interesting — I don't tend to think of how climate change will affect floral notes !
Glad you enjoyed it
This might seem off-topic, but in N.CA, we've experienced a drier rainy season, and as a result, the fruit is more flavorful. I imagine this might be the same for the fragrance industry? Friends who work in the wineries are anticipating this season's harvest may produce huge jammy/fruity reds.
Very interesting article. I'm curious about the rose capsules that make one's body odor rose scented! Not sure if I'd like that, even though I'm a rose fan – wonder how it affects perfume wearing? Another point: that people's skin is *thinner* than is used to be due to harsher enviromental conditions. I have to wonder exactly what, if anything, that means. Thanks for the link, R!
For a second I thought this was a link to an NPR article I heard about how Afghanistan is trying to revive if it's aromatics industry as a way of replacing the opium poppy trade: “Promoting Perfume, Not Poppies, in Afghanistan.” http://www.tiny.cc/pbn6L Forgive me if you've already posted it.
The link between guns and flowers in both cases is fascinating to me…
Interesting, and very on topic!
I'm pretty sure I posted a blurb from that one? Not positive though. It was interesting, either way!
I know there are some Japanese flavored gums that are supposed to scent the skin, and one of them was rose — posted something about them a long time ago. But the capsules were new to me!