Vanilla, CO2-Extract (organic)

Vanilla cannot be steam distilled. There is no vanilla essential oil in the strict sense. Aromatic vanilla is either an absolute, an infusion or, as here, a CO2 extract. Most of the vanilla scent on the market is synthetic vanillin.

01 · Origin

Vanilla planifolia is a climbing orchid native to Mexico and Central America and now grown across the tropics. Each flower is hand-pollinated where the plant is cultivated away from its native pollinators. This extract is made in Uganda from the cured husks, from certified organic cultivation (DE-ÖKO-007).

02 · Process

The green pods have almost no aroma. Curing, a slow sequence of scalding, sweating and drying, splits glucovanillin and frees vanillin along with many minor aromatics. Supercritical CO2 then extracts the cured pod at low temperature, without solvent residue. This extract is standardised to 2% vanillin and is carried in ethanol.

03 · In Practice

Sweet, warm and balsamic, with a dark, slightly smoky depth beyond the familiar vanillin note. A base note and a soft fixative in natural perfumery. Skincare formulation, massage blends, balms and olfactory study. Blends with sandalwood, benzoin, jasmine, ylang ylang, orange, vetiver and rose.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.