New Delhi

The city of Taif in Saudi Arabia, also called the city of Roses, boasts of 800 Rose farms that produce 300 million flowers each year is a sight to relish during Ramazan.

April is the harvest time for roses that go into the making of the famous rose essence. This essence is used for cleansing the walls of Kabba, a holy place for Muslims all over the world.

A Saudi farmers showing his produce

Beside roses, a special variety of mint is also cultivated in Medina and it’s an important gift to be exchanged during Ramazan. Arabs and those travelling from abroad buy roses and mint produced in Madina for carrying home as precious gifts.

The demand for these products increases in winter. The rose gardens of Taif are also open for the public and tourists.

Tourists must carry the mint and rose products for relatives and friends back home. According to a Saudi news agency, besides Taif roses are also cultivated in Madina and Abir al-Mashi.

Famous Rose Festival of Taif

Ayd al-Ahmadi, owner of Gulab Agricultural Farm, said that roses bloom round the year. However, the yield is highest and best for commercial exploitation in winter.

A fresh plant made by grafting starts blooming after six months. In the beginning, the flowers are smaller and as the plant matures the size of the roses grows and the yield increases.

Ayad al-Ahmadi said that when the plant is two-year-old, a new plant from it is prepared through grafting. In Madina and Taif, the roses bloom round the year.

A Mint field in Madina

Medina mint is also used in green tea.

The Saudi farmer said that roses are used in the making of perfumes, scents and rose water and rose oil. Besides roses are also used for decoration and as tea leaves.

The rose and mint tea is delicious beverage unique to Madina.

Rose petals are also used for making a sugary concoction called ‘Murabaha and it is used as a jam to apply on bread for breakfast.