Women in Tunisia’s Nabeul keep spring rose water tradition alive

NABEUL, Tunisia, May 11 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – As spring arrives in the coastal city of Nabeul, women gather white blossoms from bitter orange trees in a seasonal ritual to produce rose water, preserving a centuries-old cultural tradition.

Carrying the fragrant citrus blossoms in small cloth bags, the women begin the steam distillation process in specialized copper vessels, a practice that lasts an entire day. The technique involves extracting rose water through a tube inserted into the vessel, capturing the aromatic essence drop by drop.

The distillation season begins before the blossoms mature into fruit. Though labor-intensive, the process remains a cornerstone of cultural life in Nabeul, widely seen by locals as a symbol of authenticity and ancestral continuity.

The custom reflects the region’s deep-rooted connection to nature, fragrance, and craft, with the resulting rose water used in culinary dishes, cosmetics, and spiritual practices across Tunisia.