New Autumn Aromatics – Gourmand and Agrestic Inspirations for the Season

Written By: Robin Lander

Every fall brings its own alchemy of scent. Woody groves blanket in new-fallen leaves, mushrooms emerge after rain, woolen gloves embrace gingerbread and cocoa, and leather warms by the fire. These sensory experiences of comfort and contrast make it one of the most inspiring seasons for fragrance creation.

We’re delighted to introduce two new materials to spark your creativity:  Barley Extract, Roasted 40% and Asparagus Twig Absolute. Capturing moments from the warm and cozy to the deep and moody, each opens new dimensions for formulating fragrances that feel both familiar and unexpected.

Whether you’re drawn to the delectable richness of the Gourmand aroma family or the textured character of the Agrestic, these materials offer new ways to add memorable complexity and depth to your formulations. Read on to learn more about these remarkable ingredients and how to use them.

Barley Extract, Roasted 40%

The warm, gourmand aroma of toasted indulgence is now effortlessly within reach with our phenomenal Barley Extract, Roasted 40%. The comforting scent of rich roasted grain is joined by woody gourmand notes of caramel, gingerbread, mocha, cocoa beans, and honey layered over slight phenolic beer-like and leathery undertones.

To produce our extract, we begin with Barley cultivated in France, dry the summer-harvested grains, and then gently roast them to caramelize their natural sugars. This Maillard reaction, the same process that gives toasted bread and marshmallows their irresistible aroma, creates the extract’s distinctive toffee and honeyed warmth. The roasted grains are then solvent extracted with ethanol and diluted in a base of 60% ethyl alcohol to create this versatile aromatic material.

Ways to use Barley Extract, Roasted 40%

Ideal for perfumers seeking to expand the Gourmand palette, Barley Extract, Roasted 40% offers a harmonious, authentic richness across a range of fragrance types.

Asparagus Twig Absolute

Far from the familiar green vegetable, Asparagus Twig Absolute has a deep, complex, dry, woody-mossy aroma with distinct notes of tobacco, cocoa, and hay along with animalic, salty, and earthy mushroom undertones. It falls beautifully within the Agrestic aroma family – alongside Absolutes such as Hay, Tobacco, and Oakmoss – a category known for evoking the scent of bucolic countrysides, sun-warmed meadows, and fresh-turned earth.

Solvent extracted at our facility in France, Asparagus Twig Absolute is produced from the woody twigs and foliage, also known as cladodes, that remain after the asparagus shoots have been harvested in the spring. By collecting and upcycling this material, we make the most of our agricultural resources, transforming a by-product into a unique perfumery ingredient.

Ways to use Asparagus Twig Absolute

Asparagus Twig Absolute lends sophisticated complexity and tenacity to both classic compositions and modern, genre-defying fragrances.

Tips for Formulators

Our Barley Extract, Roasted 40% contains 40% Barley Extract in 60% ethyl alcohol. It is soluble in 190 proof alcohol and not soluble in fixed (vegetal/carrier) oils or water. While suitable for cosmetics and alcohol-based perfumes, due to its alcohol content, it should not be used in candles.

Asparagus Twig Absolute is a dark brownish-green, semi-solid that may be solid at room temperature. Slowly heat to 170° F to make it pourable. It is soluble in 190 proof alcohol and in fixed (vegetal/carrier) oils. For use in soap or candles, it may be best to first dilute the material in a carrier oil. You’ll find tips and instructions for warming and diluting thick materials in our FAQ section.

Discover the versatility of Barley Extract, Roasted 40% and Asparagus Twig Absolute and let your autumn formulations tell their own story of warmth, texture, and emotion. We can’t wait to see how you bring these new materials to life!