Re: Steam and hydro-distilled rose and jasmine

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi again - I've heard varying things about hydrodistillation of these

> flowers, so I've got two questions.

>

> Re rose:

> My understanding through what I've read, and some experimentation, is that

> roses respond better to distillation than most flowers (not counting

> lavender) and can withstand a lot of heat and moisture without losing the

> strength and quality of their scent; So why is hydrodistilled rose oil so

> hard to come by? Is it just much more economical to make the absolute on a

> large scale?

>

> Re jasmine:

> I've heard from a few sources that distilled jasmine oil is never found,

> and from others that it is found, but - like distilled rose oil - only

> rarely. I just noticed that a very reputable supplier is selling

> steam-distilled jasmine oil, and it got me thinking - surely jasmine and

> other delicate flowers *can* be distilled, or how would attars be made?

>

> From making tisanes of jasmine flowers I have seen that heat doesn't

> destroy the scent - although certainly the flowers (the species I've been

> using) do turn to total mush, which I understand can be a problem in

> distillation?

>

> Could anyone shed any light on distillation of these flowers - or point me

> in the direction of existing information on how often it's done ; what the

> issues are; what the results are, etc.

>

> There may be some good info out there on this, but I haven't been able to

> find it.

>

> Many thanks - and sorry if this is another silly question!

> Johanna

> Wgtn, NZ

>

>

It's true that rose can be both steam distilled and solvent extracted. Steam

distilled rose oil is actually quite common, but really expensive. It's usually

known as rose otto.

This was a question that was discussed a while ago about whether there is a

steam-distilled jasmine. I believe White Lotus had a steam distilled jasmine,

although I don't know if they still carry it. I was actually quite shocked, as I

always heard that jasmine couldn't be steam distilled and could only be solvent

extracted or enfleuraged.

>

[Guest guest]

>

I think some answers for the rose can be found on the Biolandes website:

http://www.biolandes.com/en-production-aromatic-plants.php?lg=en & huile= & pays= & id\

=1 & voyage=

They state 'One hectare of land can produce 3.5 to 5 tons of (rose) flowers,

enough to produce about 1 kg of oil. The same quantity of flowers produces 10

times more concrete than oil' - However they do stock the absolute AND the

essential oil distilled.

As for the jasmine, it seems that the absolute (grandiflorum and sambac) are

easier to deal with.

Hope this helps

Isabelle

www.lesparfumsisabelle.co.uk

>

[Guest guest]

> It's true that rose can be both steam distilled and solvent extracted. Steam

distilled rose oil is actually quite common, but really expensive. It's usually

known as rose otto.

> This was a question that was discussed a while ago about whether there is a

steam-distilled jasmine. I believe White Lotus had a steam distilled jasmine,

although I don't know if they still carry it. I was actually quite shocked, as I

always heard that jasmine couldn't be steam distilled and could only be solvent

extracted or enfleuraged.

>

> >

>

I know what you mean , but I think it's hydrodistilled and perhaps they can

control the temperature better that way so that the blossoms yield their oils.

My understanding is that steam distillation happens at a very high temperature.

Someday when I have time to learn more about the topic of distillation, I will

look for some answers.

Maggie