Vedad Njemčević Makes Delicacies from Damask Rose

Creative and hardworking people can always find a job that will fulfill their lives and bring economic benefit. Vedad Njemčević, a 27-year-old Sarajevan, found his business in the production of juices and sweets from Damask roses, which, he told the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP), makes him the only artisan of this kind in Sarajevo, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.

Njemčević started this sweet business seven years ago. From a few traditional Damask rose saplings, which are almost forgotten in BiH, he very quickly developed a real plantation not far from Sarajevo. Now he has so many that almost every day he must pick their petals and prepare them for delicacies of unsurpassed taste.

- I still haven't gotten rich from my roses, but I am satisfied with the salary that remains each month, so for now I wouldn't change this job – Njemčević told Patria, laughing.

The Damask rose is a rose with fragrant petals, rich in essential oils, which traditionally adorned the yards of many Bosnian-Herzegovinian homes. Juice and jam from the petals of this rose were valued, and they were often attributed medicinal properties, especially for regulating blood pressure and high temperature. However, for more than two decades, delicacies from the Damask rose have been a real rarity in BiH.

- Delicacies from this beautiful rose, whose real name is actually Rosa Damascena, are highly valued in the world. Some countries, like Turkey, have huge plantations where they grow Rosa Damascena. And, since no one in Sarajevo has seriously exploited this rose, I decided to start this business – explained Njemčević. And he has no regrets.

- We have kept the complete production technology of rose juices and sweets the way it was done in the past. We pick the rose petals and sour them in water, in jars, after which we get a syrup of beautiful taste – adds Njemčević. Besides Sarajevo restaurants, it is not uncommon, he says, for his juices to end up as gifts in other countries around the world, which especially pleases him.

A few years ago, Njemčević, who is helped in the business by his family, expanded the range of delicacies, so today in his small workshop in the old part of the city, traditional juices from elderflower, mint, medicinal mountain herbs, rose vinegar, and much more are also produced...

- People increasingly love original products, traditional ones, something our ancestors used, something that is proven. That is why interest in my treats is growing – Njemčević told NAP.