Basic Introduction to Bitterwater Rose
The roses that are abundant in Bitterwater Town, Yongdeng County, Gansu Province, have been cultivated for over 200 years, forming the well-known “Bitterwater Rose” brand, characterized by their abundant petals and pure fragrance. As a result, Bitterwater Town has earned the reputation of being “China's First Rose Village.”
Bitterwater Town in Yongdeng County, Lanzhou City, is renowned nationwide as the “Rose Capital.” The Bitterwater Rose is famous both domestically and internationally for its captivating aroma. During spring and summer, this area is awash with blooming flowers, a riot of colors, and the air is filled with the fragrance of roses, attracting visitors who come to experience the beauty firsthand. Roses have wide-ranging uses and high economic value. They are essential ingredients for pastries and wine, while rose oil serves as a primary component in cigarettes, soaps, perfumes, and premium cosmetics. The quality of the Bitterwater Rose is exceptional, and the essential oil extracted from it can rival that of Bulgaria, a world-renowned rose-producing region. The flower and root of the rose can also be used medicinally, with properties that help regulate qi and blood flow and alleviate liver stagnation.
Geographical Scope
Yongdeng County is located in central Gansu, in the northwestern suburbs of Lanzhou City, between longitudes 102°36′ and 103°45′ east and latitudes 36°12′ and 37°07′ north. The geographical indication registered production area for the “Bitterwater Rose” encompasses 12 towns and townships, including Bitterwater, Hongcheng, Longquan Temple, Datong, Liushu, Zhongbao, Shangchuan, Chengguan, Shuping, Heqiao, Liancheng, and Wushengyi, covering 96 administrative villages. This region spans 2,960 square kilometers, with 6,700 hectares dedicated to rose cultivation, producing 50,250 tons of Bitterwater Roses annually.
Product Characteristics
1. Sensory Features: The Bitterwater Rose belongs to the Rosaceae family and is a natural hybrid between Rosa obtusifolia and traditional Chinese roses. It is a semi-double-petaled small-flowered rose, classified under the Asian Fragrant Type, growing at altitudes ranging from 1,600 to 2,400 meters. It is one of the rare high-altitude natural rose varieties in the world. The Bitterwater Rose is a variety suitable for both food and medicinal use, representing the Oriental Fragrant Type. Its buds are tightly packed, with fresh buds weighing 0.85-0.95 grams each. The calyx is small and shaped like a teapot, and the petals are tender and fleshy, deep pink in color, with a unique and intense fragrance. They have a silky texture and a slightly sweet and astringent taste, with 18-24 petals per flower. Dried buds are full-bodied, with sepals of yellow-green color and buds of purple-red hue, exuding a delicate fragrance. The Bitterwater Rose has a high oil yield and is rich in selenium, making it an excellent choice for culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic applications. It is a top-quality ingredient for “Lanzhou Three Infusions” and various floral beverages and teas.
2. Quality Properties: The volatile oil content in Bitterwater Roses ranges from 0.02 ml/g to 0.05 ml/g, significantly higher than the maximum content of 0.03 ml/g found in other rose varieties. Total flavonoids (calculated as rutin) range from 0.33 g/100g to 0.58 g/100g, also surpassing the maximum content of 0.4 g/100g in other rose varieties. These properties contribute to pharmacological effects on cardiovascular health, digestive system, metabolism, immune function, antioxidant activity, anti-aging, and anticancer effects.
Historical and Folklore
The cultivation of Bitterwater Roses in Yongdeng County dates back more than two hundred years. Historical records indicate that during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, a scholar named Wang Naiyan from Liyaogou (present-day Xinxingu Village), Bitterwater, Yongdeng, brought back several rose plants from Xi'an after returning from the imperial examination. He planted them in his garden for ornamental purposes. Due to the local soil and climate being highly conducive to their growth, the roses thrived, producing many branches and flowers with a strong fragrance. People were very fond of them, and the demand for planting them grew. The news spread quickly, and soon every household was using the division method to cultivate roses. Within a few years, the roses had filled the courtyards and gardens of every home. Eventually, they were planted along field edges and ditches, primarily for ornamental purposes, before gradually expanding to surrounding areas. Since the roses were first introduced and cultivated in Bitterwater and the surrounding regions, and through continuous selection and breeding by the people, a local variety was formed, which came to be known as the “Bitterwater Rose.”