Rose Water

Rose water (may warid) is one of the earliest distilled liquids made from the petals of what are known as ‘Damask roses.’ Although roses grew in the ancient Mesopotamian gardens, it is believed that the dried flowers used to be imported from Persia, and were made into rose water in the ancient temples. In medieval times, the best variety was ma’ ward Juri, which was distilled from pink roses grown in Jur, a region in Persia. They were considered the most fragrant of all rose varieties, and rose water extracted from them was mostly used in women’s perfumes (al-Biruni).