Unveiling the Origins: The Story of Oud's Discovery and Cultural Reverence

The journey of Oud, a fragrance treasure, begins with the ancient civilisations of the East, where its discovery and usage were woven into the fabric of daily life, rituals, and perfumery. Dating back thousands of...

Oud: By Any Other Name

Oud, also known as Agarwood, is referred to by various names around the world. How many do you know? Oud (عود) - Arabic (Middle East) Agarwood - English (Global) Aloeswood - English (China) Gaharu -...

Roasted Hazelnut, the Ingredient your Bukhoor may be Missing

Hazelnut is a type of nut that is known for its sweet and nutty flavour. When hazelnut oil is heated or burnt, such as in bukhoor, it releases a warm and comforting aroma that is...

Explaining the chemical structure of Tuberose

Tuberose is a delightfully fragrant flowering plant that is widely used in perfumes and other fragrances. The fragrance of tuberose is thanks to a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and benzene derivatives....

Mmmm Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that is derived from the inner bark of several tree species.The aroma of burnt cinnamon is characterised by a combination of sweet and spicy notes, with a hint of woody or earthy...

Tobacco, the maligned fragrance note

Tobacco is a plant that is commonly used for smoking, and when it is burnt, it releases a distinct and potent aroma that is often described as rich, warm, and earthy.The aroma of burnt tobacco...

The Secret Scent of a Juicy Peach

Peaches do contain essential oils, but the amount present is very small, making it impractical to extract them for commercial purposes. Additionally, the delicate nature of the peach fruit and its high water content makes...

Discovering Tonka Bean as an ingredient in Bukhoor

Tonka bean is a fragrant seed from the tonka tree, which is native to South America. It has a sweet and warm aroma that is often described as a combination of vanilla, almond, and cinnamon....

Do Orchids have an Aroma?

Contrary to belief, various orchid flowers do indeed possess an aroma. The fragrance of orchids can vary greatly depending on the species, ranging from sweet and floral to spicy and musky. Some orchids have a light...

What the &!?@$$ is an Aldehyde in perfumery?

In perfumery, aldehydes are a class of organic compounds that are used to create a wide range of fragrances. Aldehydes are characterised by a characteristic structure, which consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an...

Explaining the chemical structure of JASMINE

The fragrance of jasmine is composed of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are responsible for its characteristic aroma. Some of the key chemical components of jasmine fragrance include:Jasminum Grandiflorum Aldehyde (JGA): A fragrant aldehyde...

What is a ROSE?

This highly evocative and emotive flower, instantly recognisable yet deviously complex. Let's break it down. The fragrance of roses is composed of hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for their characteristic aroma....

Gourmande, the fragrance family designed for celebrations

Gourmand (Go), the edible note, our most recent addition to the disparate lexicon we call 'fragrance families'. One thing we can agree on is this 'edible' family is addictive, "it makes you hunger in all...

Explaining the ‘Chemistry of Oo’ fragrance table

Explaining the ‘Chemistry of Oo’ fragrance table. We created the Oo chemistry table as a new and fresh lens on the often confusing world of fragrance.

What are Top, Middle & Base Notes?

What are Top, Middle & Base Notes? Ingredients can be classified based on our molecular weight. In this way, lighter ingredients will appear in a burst and quickly disappear.