site.btaCommission Approves "Bulgarsko Rozovo Maslo" as New Protected Geographical Indication

Commission Approves "Bulgarsko Rozovo Maslo"
as New Protected
Geographical Indication


Brussels, September 25 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) -
The European Commission has approved the addition of a new
Bulgarian product to the register of Protected Geographical
Indication. "Българско розово масло" (Bulgarsko rozovo maslo) is
an essential oil obtained by means of the steam distillation of
flowers of the Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill).

The quality of "Bulgarsko rozovo maslo" is guaranteed by
compliance with the requirement that the rose blossoms be
processed not later than 10-15 hours after they have been
picked. About 3,500 kg of rose blossom is needed to obtain 1 kg
of rose oil. The harvest takes place over a 20 to 30-day period
and requires special skills: between several hours before
daybreak and the early morning only blossoms with at least one
open petal are picked with the sepals, without damaging the stem
or the branches.

The specific and distinctive characteristics of "Bulgarsko
rozovo maslo" are its rich aroma, its pale, yellowish-green
colour, its very good fixative qualities, its long-lingering
aroma, and its balanced composition of volatile substances and
hydrocarbons. Its chemical characteristics are closely linked to
the region's geographical traits and set it apart from rose
oils produced in other parts of the world, the Commission says.

The Damask rose is traditionally grown in the Valley of Roses
(Rozovata Dolina) in Central Bulgaria. The denomination will be
added to the list of more than 1,200 products already protected,
the Commission says. VI/DD