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Cocoa Absolute for Perfume and Body Care Formulations

Written By: Robin Lander

It’s no surprise that naturalist Linnaeus gave the cocoa tree its botanical name Theobroma cacao, meaning “Food of the Gods” – for most, the irresistible and comforting aroma is synonymous with bliss. Our popular Cocoa Absolute captures this sensual allure and is recommended for formulators, perfumers, and chocolate lovers alike.

In aromatic blends for body care products, perfume, soaps and candles, Cocoa Absolute’s tenacious fixative properties offer a long-lasting aroma infused with luscious chocolate decadence. We offer both organic and conventional options:

Organic Cocoa Absolute is extracted at our production facility in France where we use organic cocoa beans obtained from farms in Dominican Republic, Peru, and Tanzania. Organic ethyl alcohol gently extracts the aromatic material, avoiding the use of harsh solvents. The warm, rich, balsamic aroma is like dark unsweetened chocolate with hints of bitter cocoa liquor. 

Cocoa Absolute - Conventional is extracted in France from West African grown Cocoa using conventional ethyl alcohol. It is the richest and most chocolatey of our Cocoa products with an intense aroma of dark unsweetened chocolate and a faint earthy, bitter chocolate backnote that sweetens in the days-long drydown.

Cocoa Absolute in Perfumery and Aromatic Blends

Utilized as a base or middle note in perfumery, Cocoa Absolute serves as a rich aromatic and powerful fixative. Both organic and conventional absolutes are soluble in alcohol making them easy to use in alcohol-based blends.

Trace amounts added to base accords impart exotic effects, particularly in combination with woody and spicy notes such as Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli, Tobacco, Cinnamon and Ginger. As part of a middle note accord, Cocoa Absolute can add ‘dirtyness’ and depth to florals such as Rose, Jasmine, Mimosa, Osmanthus, or Ylang Ylang. In gourmand compositions, it enhances and gives roundness to aromas such as Coffee CO2, Bitter Almond, Vanilla CO2 or Absolute, Tonka Bean, or Butter CO2.

How to Work with Cocoa Absolute in Alcohol-Based Formulas

Cocoa Absolute is a very dark, viscous, paste-like liquid. Warming the bottle in a simple water bath will help make it pourable and easier to work with:

1)    Place the Cocoa Absolute in its original glass bottle/container in a heat-safe bowl and add enough hot water to warm the bottle without submerging it. Unscrew the cap slightly but don’t allow water to get inside.

2)    Allow the absolute to warm up for 10-20 minutes.

3)    Continue warming until the absolute softens to a pourable consistency, replacing the warm water as needed.

You can read more about blending thick extracts, resins and absolutes on our FAQ page here.    

Once warmed, Cocoa Absolute should easily incorporate into room temperature alcohol. It may take a period of time for incorporation to be completed – shaking the bottle or stirring the mixture can help speed up the process.

How to Infuse a Fixed Carrier Oil with Cocoa Absolute

Although Cocoa Absolute is not soluble in fixed carrier oils, it will impart its aroma when the Cocoa Absolute and carrier oils are gently heated, blended, and left to infuse.

1)    Determine the percentage you want to dilute the Cocoa Absolute into your carrier oil. For example, to dilute it to 10%, use one-part Cocoa Absolute plus 9 parts stable carrier oil, such as Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil.

2)    Next, warm the bottle of Cocoa Absolute and the bottle/container of carrier oil in a water bath as described above. The Cocoa Absolute will be more easily incorporated if the carrier oil is also heated to near the same temperature as the heated Cocoa Absolute.

3)    Add the warmed Cocoa Absolute to the warmed carrier oil and shake or stir well. Let the mixture infuse or a period of time until the aroma is to your liking, shaking or stirring occasionally.

4)    The Cocoa Absolute will eventually settle to the bottom, leaving a highly scented carrier oil on top. You can decant the aromatic carrier oil off the top, leaving out the Cocoa Absolute solids that are resting at the bottom of the container (they can be removed with alcohol and discarded).

Your Cocoa-scented carrier oil can be used in numerous applications such as a base oil for aromatherapy, perfume and body care blends, and in whipped body butters, lotions, soaps, and candles. Here is a recipe to get you started!

Luscious Cocoa Body and Bath Oil

Ingredients:

30 ml Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil

6 drops Organic Cocoa Absolute

5 drops Patchouli Dark

4 drops Sandalwood New Caledonia

Directions:

Gently warm the bottle of Organic Cocoa Absolute and a one ounce bottle of Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil in a water bath as described above. Add the Cocoa Absolute to the Fractionated Coconut oil and shake well to combine. Then add the Patchouli and Sandalwood. If you use a dark bottle, you won’t notice the Cocoa Absolute solids that will eventually fall to the bottom.

Add 1-2 teaspoons of the blend to bathwater just before entering the bath or apply as a body oil to damp skin after bathing. Enjoy the rich, earthy-woody, sensual aroma!

Note: Cocoa Absolute Contains a small amount of caffeine; if highly sensitive or allergic to caffeine, we recommend avoiding this absolute. We recommend performing a patch test when working with any of our ingredients topically.

Store in a cool dry place and use within 3-6 months of blending.