Absolutes

Absolutes are natural essences. They are usually essences of flowers which are too delicate to be extracted by steam distillation. Absolutes have the fragrance which resembles the essence of the flower more closely than the essential oil since some components of the essential oil are artefacts of the extraction process.

 

The preparation of the absolute is a two stage process. Stage one involves extraction of the plant material using pure hexane. This produces a thick oily/waxy fragrant product called a ‘concentrate’. The concentrate is then mixed with ethanol and after thorough mixing it is filtered to remove the insoluble waxes. The ethanol is removed from the essence by distillation under reduced pressure and the essence left behind is called an absolute.

 

Phoenix Products supply absolutes which are pure and natural and that have low levels of residual hexane and ethanol.

Absolute Origin Botanical name Source Beeswax France Beeswax Beeswax Calendula/Marigold France Calendula officinalis Flowers Carnation Egypt Dianthus caryophylius Flower Champaca India Michelia champaca Flowers Immortelle/Everlasting France Helychrysum italicum Flowers Jasmine India Jasminium grandiflorum Flowers Jasmine Sambac India Jasminium sambac Flowers Lavendin France Lavendula hybrida Flowering tops Linden Blossom France Tilleul oderata Flowers Lotus Absolute India Nelumbium speciosum Flowers Mimosa India Acacia dealbata Flowers Narcissus France Narcissus jonquilla Flowers Oakmoss Yugoslavia Evernia prunastri Whole moss Osmanthos France Osmanthus fragrans Flowers Rose absolute Morocco Rosa damescina Flowers Seaweed France Laminaria digita Whole Tonka Bean France Dipteryx odorata Seeds Tuberose India Polyianthes tuberosa Flowers Violet Leaf Egypt Viola odorata Leaves

Oleoresins

Oleoresin Origin Botanical name Source Chilli Oleoresin India Capsicum frutescens Dried fruit Vanilla Oleoresin Commores Vanilla fragrans Pods and seeds Pepper Oleoresin India Piper nigrum Dried peppercorns