Glossary & Fragrance terminology
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Earthy:
The peculiar aroma of fresh turned soil. It is also described as “rooty” as is exhibited in vetiver oil and sometimes in patchouli oil. Itgives the impression of earth, soil, the forest floor, mold and moss. Eau De Cologne: It is the name applied to light refreshing Citrus scented fragrance. Widely used to relate to a solution of about 3% Perfume Compound. Much lighter than a concentrated perfume. Eau de Parfum: An alcoholic perfume solution containing 10 to 15% perfume compound. Eau de Parfum Eau de Toilette: An alcohol/water based perfume solution containing 3 to 8 % perfume compound. Eau de Toilette Elemi: It is a gum resin which introduces a light, fresh, balsamic-spicy, citrus-like scent. Epices: French for spices. Enfleurage: The traditional method of separating the absolute from flowers. The procedure involves placing the petals between layers of fat to which they impart their odor. The layering is repeated again and again with fresh petals until the fat is rich in the flower’s essential oils. The oils are extracted from the fat with alcohol, after which the alcohol is distilled leaving the absolute. This process is labour intensive and expensive but is useful for those flowers which continue to produce fragrance long after they are picked e.g.. Tuberose. The technique is outdated in general terms today due to the end product getting highly expensive. Essences: Products which endeavor to capture or emphasize the highly volatile top notes of natural products. Essential Oil: The “essence” of plants or the fragrant, volatile extracts obtained from flowers, grass, stems, seeds, leaves, roots, bark, fruits, tree moss and tree secretions. They are obtained by various means including distillation, expression and extraction. Frequently used to apply to concretes and absolutes. Evaporation: The process of changing from a liquid to a vapor. Evanescent: Evanescent is a word used to describe a fragrance that disappears quickly can say quickly vanishing note or fragrance Expression: Expression or Pressed method of obtaining essential oil from plant material, mostly citrus fruit peels , consisting of forcing the oil from the plant material. Also known as cold press extraction. Extract: An alcoholic solution of fragrance oil. The traditional concentration of the fragrance oil in an extract is between 15 and 50% of oil in the finished extract. Extract (2): Concentrated perfume or flower products obtained through the process of extraction using volatile solvents. Extraction: The method by which essential oils are separated from the plant using solvents which can then be removed by evaporation. Strictly speaking, distillation and expression are methods of 'extraction' but the term is generally reserved for the use of solvents. Strictly speaking distillation and expression are methods of 'extraction' but the term is generally reserved for the use of solvents. Extrait: The alternative name for alcoholic perfumes. Extraits contain 15 to 45% perfume compound in alcohol. |