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The History of the Rose
From the earliest of times, people from around the world have held the rose close to their hearts. Roses existed long before humans,
35 million year old fossilized rose blossoms and hips have been found in Europe and petrified rose wreaths have been unearthed
from ancient Egyptian tombs.
In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is said to have created the rose when her tears mixed with the blood of her lover,
Adonis. The Romans also adopted the rose, making it the symbol of love and beauty. When Cupid offered the rose in an attempt to
bribe the God of Silence to high Venus’ amorous escapades, the rose became symbol of secrecy.
Master painter, scientist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci drank tea made from rose nectar regularly. In the 17th century the emergence
of perfume industry in France triggered the rapid development of rose production. Today these hardy and disease resistant plants are
grown institutionally and by individuals around the globe.
The Kazanlak Rose
The oily-yielding rose and its applications have a long valued history in Bulgaria. Bulgarian roses were supplied to the Thracian,
Greek, Roman and Byzantine and Ottoman (Turkish) Empires as the finest roses produced in the known world, for the achievement as
well as medicinal, romantic and decorative uses.
Roses have been cultivated in the Kazanlak Valley in central Bulgaria since 1256 AD. The Kazanlak Rose, from which SENCE is made,
is considered a “vary old rose” with a remarkably intense aroma and soft pink color. The Kazanlak Rose was first noted in Thracian
literature. Roses from this region of Bulgaria were sought throughout the ancient world. These roses are known around the globe as
the finest roses, grown with meticulous care and attention to detail. The Kazanlak Rose is used in perfume, pharmacy and food
industries.
The unique Kazanlak Roses are only harvested during a three-week period at the end of May and early June. The blossoms are
harvested from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. when dew levels are at their highest. No inorganic fertilizers or unnatural pesticides are used in their
cultivation. The rose petals used t make rose nectar must be converted into concentrate with two hours of harvesting. It is from these
roses that experts in Bulgaria have created rose nectar.
Rose Nectar
In the Middle East and Balkan regions, the harvesting and production of rose and nectar is a time-honored tradition. Rose nectar has
been a staple in the diets of million of people for more than 2500 years. A drink that is light pink in color, rose nectar mixes well with
some other juice products, carbonated and spirited beverages, including vodka, tequila, cognac, rum, gin, sake, and champagne and
some cordials. Because of its healthful qualities, it is a favorite drink at health spas and treatment and facilities throughout the Middle
East and Balkan region of Eastern Europe. It is considered in elixir in Japan and Korea, where it began being distributed in 2003 and
2004, respectively.
In 2002, rose nectar first became available commercially while maintaining traditional processing methods. Philicon, the Bulgarian
innovator of this product, is the only facility in the world current able to manage the intricate and time-sensitive process of harvesting,
conversion to concentrate and production of the high-quality nectar product available on the market today. Philicon has the ability to
produce, at current levels, 10 million liter boxes of rose nectar annually.
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