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"France 24": Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is prepared from roses

2025-06-06 12:08:33Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is prepared from roses

 

 

In Përmet, deep in the spectacular Vjosa Valley in southern Albania, roses dominate, whether they are used to make perfumes, scented water or Turkish delights sought after by thousands of tourists passionate about sweets.

"Here everything revolves around roses, from cooking with them to their medicinal virtues, everything is seen through rose-tinted glasses," biology teacher Ariana Nikolla joked.

Since she was little, the 57-year-old has delicately picked the petals of her favorite variety, “The Groom’s Rose,” so named for its delicate scent. In Përmet, roses are a ritual – the first gift to a future lover. And they must be pink, symbolizing love and loyalty.

"France 24": Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is

Each family cultivates dozens of varieties of roses in their garden, including highly fragrant Damask and Provence roses, making the city famous throughout the Balkans for its artisanal rose water.

However, it is almost impossible to buy it - it is simply too valuable, say the locals, who donate a few drops from time to time and guard their reserves fanatically.

'Rose water is like love'

"Rose water is like love, it must be prepared with care," said veteran producer Resmie Tuci.

"The process of preparing high-quality rose water is difficult and careful. It requires very special copper vessels and you also have to use the right roses and choose those with the most fragrant petals," said the 70-year-old.

The traditional method, transmitted from one generation to another, is listed in the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage of Albania.

 

"France 24": Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is
Ariana Nikolla collects rose petals in Përmet

 

First, a piece of cloth is laid over a copper bowl tied with thread, which itself is placed inside a large flat-bottomed basin filled with water. Then, hand-picked rose petals are carefully placed on the cloth and covered with a flat stone, onto which hot ashes from a fire are thrown. The petals sweat down and release their precious rose water through condensation.

"It's a process that lasts for hours," Tuci told AFP.

“But every drop is precious,” interjects Nikola, filling a small bottle with rose water, which he will place in a sunny spot for a few weeks before it is ready.

“It is as precious as gold,” she added.

Sweet pleasures

Locals use it for its supposed benefits, from soothing irritated eyes to an anti-inflammatory cream to help soothe itching. And, of course, in cooking. Eftali Qerimi, 63, swears by it. The rosewater and almond cakes she bakes in her workshop are unlike any other local “lokum.”

"France 24": Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is
Eftali Qerimi with rose-shaped cakes

Made with only almond powder, sugar and rose water, the rose-shaped decorations mark important events for families in the region. Considered a lucky charm, they are served at birthdays, weddings and children's parties. With the women in her workshop, Qerimi produces up to 10 kilograms of Turkish delight a day, which she sells for 50 euros per kilogram.

Occasionally she makes little feet in the shape of baby feet — a way, according to tradition, to wish newborns a long life. Between groups, the women make rose petal jam, the aroma of which fills the workshop.

"France 24": Përmet, the Albanian city where everything is

"The rose is everything to us; it symbolizes the heart, love and happiness of life," said Qerimi, who is working hard with the start of the high tourist season.

"Tourists flock to the city and after the natural beauties of the valley, with its famous gorges and natural park, they also want to enjoy its culinary delights," she smiled. / France 24

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