enfleurage
binomial name: enfleurage
the oldest of extraction processes, this delicate and traditional method literally translates to “saturate flowers.” originally used during the 19th century in grasse, france, the perfumery capital of the world, it was reserved for preserving the most fragile of plants such as jasmine and tuberose, which cannot withstand the high temperatures of other extraction methods. the process involves placing raw flowers and plants onto a large frame of glass, called a chassis, smeared with a layer of animal or vegetable fat. the fat absorbs the scent and properties of the flower over the course of one to three days, and the process is repeated until the desired level of saturation is reached. the resulting fragrant oil or “enfleurage pomade” is then washed with alcohol to separate the extract from the fat, and the pure essential oil is then collected.
benefit: by using this process, even the finest modules of the flower’s oils can be preserved.
