Iran
Rose

Fragrant plant: Damask rose
Growing region: Iran - Lalehzar Mountains
Cultivation partner since: 2016

Special features: Altitude of 3000 m; "Roses instead of Poppies" project; in addition to rose oil, hydrosol and dried rosebuds are produced for the domestic and Arab markets; upcycling of distillation waste into rose fuel briquettes.

Day 1: The adventure can begin! For the first time, three farfalla generations set out on a journey, following the scent of the rose...

Claude Richard, one of the founders of farfalla, is a veteran of fragrance travel. His granddaughter Anae, the youngest at two years old, is experiencing her first fragrance journey with her father Malvin and mother Muriel. Malvin Richard is part of the young farfalla generation; from an early age, he loved discovering the cultures and plants of foreign countries. Muriel doesn't work at farfalla, but shares the same passion for travel and fragrance. The farfalla family is supported by Lukas Lüscher, Malvin's school friend and part of the marketing team.

Days 2 and 3: Upon arrival, Tehran surprises us with its vibrant colors and warmth. We're moved by how open and curious the people here are. Even though the city is hectic, we find true oases in the paradisiacal Persian gardens.

Days 3 and 4 of our ethnobotanical fragrance journey: We leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind and travel further into the mountains of Kerman. This is one of Iran's most important rose-growing regions. Many years ago, the Homayoun family and Shahin Sanati began planting damask roses there at an altitude of between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. We meet Shahin Sanati, the sister of the founder of the Rose Project. She lives in Hamburg, commutes between Germany and Iran several times a year, and is responsible for the project's export activities.

Jean-Claude Richard: "Wow, what a sight! I've traveled a lot around the world and visited many plant projects, but this valley is unique. I'm standing amidst small rose fields in the Lalehzar Valley at 3,000 meters, and behind me rise the snow-capped 4,500-meter-high peaks. Here, the snowy wind blends with the scent of roses. A true showcase project, both from an ecological and human-social perspective. Thanks to a visionary who had the courage to plant damask roses in this valley 40 years ago. Today, it is the largest rose distillery in Iran. I'm impressed. The company is majority-owned by a foundation that also runs two orphanages in the city of Kerman and offers young adults the opportunity to work at the distillery."

Day 5 of our ethnobotanical fragrance journey: We arrive with the pickers at the roses in the morning dew; the cold of the night still lingers in the fields. Up here, we sense the isolation from industry, traffic, and environmental toxins. The roses that grow here at 3,000 meters are truly organic. In addition to the organic aspect, we are also impressed by the cooperative's other approaches: the motto "Roses instead of poppies," which guarantees the farmers a legal and secure income, and the upcycling of distillery waste into rose fuel briquettes. Now the hand-picked blossoms must be transported to the distillery as quickly as possible – the pickers transport their 20-kg bags to the measuring station using donkeys, mopeds, and cars.

Days 6 and 7: We bid farewell to the rose fields in Kerman, our journey slowly drawing to a close. We haggle over carpet prices in Isfahan and enjoy a refreshing foot bath. In the evening, local families gather at Meidan-e Emam (Naqsh-e Jahan) Square to end the day.

Malvin Richard: "I will never forget the scene on the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan in Isfahan, the second largest square in the world, which fills in the evening with families picnicking on their well-earned supper – it is Ramadan. Slowly, the delicate scent of roses, coming from the nearby rose gardens and the women's perfumes, mixes with the steam from the shisha pipes, creating a breathtaking perfume."