The villages around Al Hada, just above Ta'if, produce the rose water (ma' al-ward) and rose oil used in mosques, perfumes, and Saudi households across the country. The Ta'if rose (Ward Taifi) blooms for only a few weeks each spring — usually March and April — and at that time the farms open their distilleries to visitors. The traditional process involves boiling huge piles of fresh petals in copper alembics over wood fires; the resulting oil floats on top of the distilled water and is skimmed off by hand.
The Al Kamal Rose Farm is the largest and most visitor-friendly, with guided tours and a small shop. Out of season the farms are quiet but several still receive visitors.