Product Overview
Our rare and beautiful Gardenia Extract has an unusual and complex white floral aroma with a very rich, sweet-fruity body, slightly earthy undertones, and light, fresh green top notes. The jasminoides species of Gardenia is known for its warm and hypnotic aroma, similar to Jasmine, with creamier, richer notes and a rounder body. Extracted with benign solvents from organically grown flowers, it has a softer, more true-to-nature aroma than one might find in a solvent extracted Tahitian Gardenia (or ‘Tiare absolute’) which have all but been replaced by synthetic reproductions. At last, an authentic Gardenia Extract that can be used for aromatherapy applications as well as high-end natural perfumery.
Native to sub-tropical Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and Australia, Gardenia is an evergreen tropical shrub of the coffee family. Widely cultivated throughout Asia since ancient times, the intoxicating aroma from just one blossom is undeniably stunning, hence its traditional use in fresh leis, boutonnières, and to adorn everything from glamourous hairstyles to tiki drinks. However, the headstrong flowers will not tolerate steam distillation, and the yield from solvent extraction is prohibitively low (5000 kilos of Gardenia flowers are needed to make 1 kilo of absolute).[1] Sadly, these extraction challenges have resulted in almost all Gardenia oil on the market being synthetically produced.[2,3]
Our South American producer employs a modernized enfleurage technique using only benign solvents such as fixed vegetal oils and sugarcane alcohol to coax the volatile aromatic essence out of fresh organically grown Gardenia flowers. This innovative, labor-intensive process is carefully conducted by hand, requiring thousands of pounds of flowers to produce only small yields of extract. To ensure sustainability, social benefits, and improved quality of life, our producer follows a code of conduct that honors the wellness of employees, farmers, and the environment. The result is a pure and natural Gardenia extract, responsibly produced without heat or harsh chemicals, providing a true-to-nature aroma that is like breathing in a fresh flower.
The uplifting aroma of Gardenia has a clearing, cooling, and calming energy making it useful in skin, bodycare, and massage preparations of all types, particularly muscle and joint massage and nighttime blends. The main constituents of Gardenia Extract include linalool, flowery esters methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate, and the intensely sensual indole, sought after by perfumers for its sultry, animalic, floral qualities. The 'aliveness' of this rare, specialized extract is appreciated by perfumers who wish to create natural and organic perfumes, as well as natural cosmetic formulators and practitioners of true aromatherapy applications. The captivating aroma elevates sophisticated blends alongside the likes of Tuberose, Neroli and exotic spices while also possessing an intricate depth that can hold its own as single-flower perfume.
PLEASE NOTE: This extract is soluble in fixed oils and only partially soluble in alcohol or alcohol-based perfumes.
1 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, p. 99.
2 Ibid.
3 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 260-261.
