Character
The Story of Chinese Osmanthus Absolute Orpur
One of perfumery's rarest natural materials, Chinese osmanthus absolute bridges the gap between fruity and floral, offering an unmistakable apricot-peach warmth threaded with suede-like depth. Sourced from the golden-orange blossoms of Osmanthus fragrans, this precious absolute has been prized in Chinese culture for over two millennia.
Heritage
Osmanthus has been cultivated in China for over 2,500 years, gracing the imperial gardens of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The plant holds profound cultural significance, symbolizing love, nobility, and refinement in Chinese tradition. Poets and legends have celebrated osmanthus blossoms for centuries, weaving their intoxicating fragrance into ceremonies, poetry, and daily life. Ancient artisans infused the blossoms into teas, wines, and confections long before perfumery adopted the material. Osmanthus first appeared in Western perfumery with Jean Patou's legendary fragrance "1000" in 1972, created by perfumer Jean Kerleo. Today, China remains the only country in the world producing osmanthus concrete and absolute for the perfume industry. Of the roughly fifteen Osmanthus species, only Osmanthus fragrans serves perfumery purposes.
At a Glance
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Feature this note
China
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Solvent extraction
Blossoms
Did You Know
"Archaeologists found osmanthus sporopollen at the Zengpiyan cave site in Guilin dating to approximately 10,000 years ago—the earliest known evidence of osmanthus growth anywhere in the world."