Before the industrial era and modern technologies, some delicate flowers like jasmine, tuberose, and violet could not withstand the heat of distillation. To extract their aroma, perfumers then used an ancient method: enfleurage.
This process relies on the use of neutral fats, usually animal fats, spread on large glass plates called châssis. The petals are manually placed there and replaced every two days. The fat slowly absorbs the odorous molecules in a long but extremely precise process. After several weeks, a perfumed pomade rich in floral scent is obtained.
This pomade is then washed with alcohol to isolate the aromatic compounds. Once the alcohol has evaporated, all that remains is the pure essence of the flower, called an absolute. The result is of remarkable quality: the obtained fragrance is true to the original flower, subtle, deep, and authentic.
Although this method is rarely used today due to its cost and slowness, it remains a symbol of artisanal excellence in the world of perfume.
At Parfum Similaire, we celebrate these rare skills that have shaped the history of perfumery. Enfleurage embodies this alliance between tradition and refinement, a valuable source of inspiration for all lovers of authentic scents.