Extraction Process
Steam Distillation: The primary method for extracting rose hydrolate is steam distillation, which involves several steps:
- Harvesting: Fresh rose petals are collected, usually in the early morning when the essential oil content is at its peak.
- Distillation Setup: The rose petals are placed in a still, and steam is passed through the petals. The heat from the steam helps to release the volatile compounds from the petals.
- Condensation: The steam, carrying the aromatic compounds, is then condensed back into a liquid. This liquid separates into two parts: the essential oil and the hydrosol (rose water).
- Collection: The rose hydrolate, containing a small amount of essential oil and water-soluble compounds, is collected separately from the essential oil.
By-Product Use: While essential oil is the primary product, rose hydrolate is a valuable by-product due to its aromatic and therapeutic properties.