Comorian Ylang-Ylang

Farmers plant Cananga odorata trees on volcanic soils that drain well and retain heat. They prune the canopy to expose each flower to sunlight, then hand‑pick buds at full bloom. Workers bundle the petals in shade‑drying rooms for 24 hours to reduce moisture without losing volatile compounds. After drying, distillers load the petals into copper stills and apply steam at 100 °C for 3 hours. The vapor condenses into a clear oil that separates into four grades; the premium "Extra" grade contains the richest floral notes. Each batch is filtered, tested for purity, and sealed in amber glass to protect the scent from light. The process repeats twice a year, aligning with the island’s two peak flowering periods.