Fresh cotton

Farmers plant cotton (Gossypium spp.) in warm, well‑drained soils and tend the rows until the buds swell. At peak bloom, harvest crews cut the flower clusters early in the morning to preserve volatile compounds. The fresh buds are frozen or dried in shade to prevent oxidation. In a stainless‑steel extractor, supercritical CO₂ flows through the material at 35 °C and 80 bar, pulling out the delicate absolutes without leaving solvent residues. The CO₂ separates in a low‑temperature chamber, leaving a viscous, amber‑colored cotton flower absolute. Producers filter the extract, test it for purity, and store it in amber glass to shield it from light. The entire process yields roughly 0.3 % absolute by weight, reflecting the flower’s low oil content but high aromatic value.