Travel: Liquid Rose Gold: Bulgarian_Rose_014

The output of rose petals from distillation at Lema distillery in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, seen on May 24, 2018, is used to fertilize its rose gardens. Each of Lema's caldrons has a 5 ton capacity, and it takes 3 to 5 tonnes of roses to produce just 1 kg of rose oil. Lema, a family-owned rose plantation and production facility of over 40 years, produces mainly rose oil, rose water, lavender oil, and souvenirs. The distillery borders Arsenal (not seen,) Bulgaria's oldest weapons-maker (privatized after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989.) Arsenal employs around 10,000 people, and has its own kindergarten and hospital on the grounds.Photo by: Yana Paskova for National Geographic Traveler

The output of rose petals from distillation at Lema distillery in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, seen on May 24, 2018, is used to fertilize its rose gardens. Each of Lema's caldrons has a 5 ton capacity, and it takes 3 to 5 tonnes of roses to produce just 1 kg of rose oil. Lema, a family-owned rose plantation and production facility of over 40 years, produces mainly rose oil, rose water, lavender oil, and souvenirs. The distillery borders Arsenal (not seen,) Bulgaria's oldest weapons-maker (privatized after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989.) Arsenal employs around 10,000 people, and has its own kindergarten and hospital on the grounds.

Photo by: Yana Paskova for National Geographic Traveler