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    Ingredient Profile

    Cypress wood fragrance note

    Cypress wood delivers a crisp, resinous aroma that recalls sun‑warmed conifer forests. Its green‑sharp edge balances sweet floral notes, add…More

    Italy

    3

    Fragrances

    Fragrances featuring Cypress wood

    3

    Character

    The Story of Cypress wood

    Cypress wood delivers a crisp, resinous aroma that recalls sun‑warmed conifer forests. Its green‑sharp edge balances sweet floral notes, adding depth to modern blends.

    Heritage

    Cypress has anchored fragrance traditions for millennia. Ancient Egyptians burned cypress resin in temples, noting its clean burn and protective scent. Greek poets praised its evergreen aroma as a symbol of immortality, and Roman soldiers carried cypress oil to mask the smell of campfires. By the 12th century, Arab traders exported cypress oil from the Levant to European apothecaries, where it entered early perfume recipes. The French perfume houses of the 19th century refined steam‑distillation techniques, establishing cypress wood as a staple in aromatic compositions that evoke forests and open air.

    At a Glance

    Fragrances

    3

    Feature this note

    Origin

    Italy

    Primary source region

    Ingredient Details

    Extraction

    Steam distillation

    Used Parts

    Dried heartwood

    Did You Know

    "Cypress wood oil was a key component of Roman funeral rites, believed to protect the soul as it passed into the afterlife."

    Pyramid Presence

    Top
    1
    Heart
    1
    Base
    1

    Production

    How Cypress wood Is Made

    Cypress wood oil originates from the heartwood of Cupressus sempervirens, a Mediterranean conifer. Harvesters cut mature trunks, then air‑dry the wood for several months to reduce moisture. The dried wood is shredded and placed in copper stills where steam passes through at 100 °C. The steam captures volatile compounds and carries them to a condenser. The resulting distillate separates into a clear essential oil and a heavier water phase. After filtration, the oil is stored in amber glass to protect it from light, preserving its bright, pine‑like character for perfumery use.

    Provenance

    Italy

    Italy41.9°N, 12.5°E

    About Cypress wood