14 May 2008
Tunis — -Spring marks the coming of the flavor season for Tunisian families who inherited from their ancestors the art of distilling flowers. In Tunisia every region is known for distilling a specific flower notably wild-rose, bitter orange flowers, geranium, mint and rosemary.
The distilling of the wild-rose called "Ennesri" which comes from the Persian term "Nezrine" is specific to the town of Zaghouan in northern Tunisia . Wild- rose water is known for its therapeutic virtues which are said to alleviate heart ailments. It is also often used in pastries such as the famous Tunisian sweet known as "kaak warka". Every year, Zaghouan organizes a festival in May to celebrate the wild rose which was originally introduced in Tunisia by Andalusians (from Spain ), in the eighth century.
The Cap Bon region which is known for its citrus trees produces the largest quantity and the best quality of orange flowers essence called "Zhar". People from the region attribute to this essence several virtues and conceive of it as remedy to asthma and headaches. It is also reckoned in folk tradition that the "Zhar" which means "fortune" in Arabic, is of good omen. The collection of bitter orange flowers takes place in May and lasts three to four weeks. As to the distilling techniques, they are mastered by the majority of Tunisian families who try to perpetuate the tradition by distilling essences themselves.
However, due to the increasing importance granted to aromatic and medicinal essences, some 28 Tunisian industrials have undertaken to distill and sell these products in Tunisia, as well as abroad. Indeed, 10 of these production units are specialized in distilling rosemary oil, since Tunisia is the first producer of rosemary essences in the Mare Nostrum.
Due to the strong demand generated by the sector, Tunisia is promoting biological farming relative to medicinal and aromatic plants, by offering incentives to biological farmers.
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