Jasmine sambac blossoms in the heart of fragrances, delicately unravelling in floral shades of green. Orange blossom smooths the note with round, solar-like nuances while fruity facets add an intriguing sweetness. It's a powerful note that’s greener and less animalic than grandiflorum jasmine.
Of the more than 200 varieties of jasmine, only two lucky varieties are deemed worthy for perfumery: Jasmine Sambac and Jasmine Grandiflorum. Jasmine Sambac grows in the south of India between the months of March and September (with a peak from April till June). During the harvest season, women work from sunrise until sunset, working their way through the bushes to pick the little white buds before they open. Once picked, the flowers must be processed within 12 hours. Their coveted scent is captured with solvents—a concrete is obtained from which absolutes are obtained after washing with alcohol.
In a rather cynical ode to love, the word “jasmine” derives from the Arabic words “jas” (despair) and “min” (lie). Jasmine Sambac is native to southeastern Asia but predominately grown in India. But you may also find it growing in the Guangxi province of China, where the blossoms are popularly used to flavor tea. In India, Sambac Jasmine blossoms are weaved into necklaces and flower garlands—crafted as gifts for divinities and sold in temples. But beware: you must not breathe in its divine fragrance as you’d be stealing from the gods!
People's Republic of China, India
Jasmine Sambac made its real debut as a noteworthy ingredient for fine perfumery in the 1980s. Its inimitable trail lends fresh green facets and subtle notes of orange blossom to a myriad of luxury compositions.null
On the eve of the new millennium, Calice Becker created a new floral bouquet, a green freshness, accessible to all, thus paving the way for floral fruity fragrances. "I 'painted' each flower individually, and then put everything together into a bouquet, to which I added a basket of ripe fruits. " J’adore gives pride of place to Sambac jasmine, surrounded by tuberose, ylang-ylang, rose and violet, enhanced by an accord of candied plum in Banyuls wine.
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