Spice-base fragrances are the most exotic scent in the world of fragrances. Spice-base fragrances belong to a category of fragrances made from trees, spices, resins and other animal musk. The scent from spice-base fragrances usually has a warm, spicy, sexy, penetrating power with rich layering and long-lasting aroma characteristics.
Spice-base fragrances are suitable for both men and women. Vanilla, sandalwood and tonka beans are commonly used to make oriental fragrances. Oriental fragrances usually feature a bit of “Asian” characteristics from India, Burma, China, or even the Far East. The famous Yves Saint Laurent Opium is inspired by the incense in Chinese temples.
Cloves
Fragrant clove tree is an evergreen tree (usually as tall as 10-20 metres) with oblong-shaped fruits called “mother cloves”. Cloves are commonly used for cooking, cigarette additives, incense additives and tea-making, etc. It can also be used as Chinese medicine (clove buds). The spicy clove oil is an important spice for treating burns or as a dental analgesic. Cloves can also be used to relieve hangover. In addition, Oleaceae Syringa plants are commonly known as lilac.
Country of origin: Madagascar
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: Buds
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Anise
A kind of evergreen tree mainly planted in southern mainland China, best grown in humid and warm environments, can grow up to 20 metres tall. Fruit-picking takes place in autumn and winter; the fruits turn reddish brown or yellowish brown when dry. The fruits exude a sweet fragrant aroma. It can be used as a whole fruit or after milling. As anise has a kind of sweetness similar to that of licorice, it can be used to substitute licorice in food. The shikimic acid in the fruit is one of the synthetic materials for the manufacture of antiviral drug oseltamivir. This drug is particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of influenza. However, unrefined anise itself does not have similar effect.
Country of origin: China
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: Fruit
Cubeba
Also known as tempeh ginger, litsea or ‘mountain pepper’, it is a kind of deciduous tree belonging to Lauraceae Litsea, usually about 5-10 metres tall. It blossoms with yellow aromatic flowers in February and March and fruits in July and August. Cubeba oil is an important natural spice; its fat oil can be used for industrial purposes. The roots, leaves and fruits can be used for medicinal purposes, while the fresh leaf juice can prevent mosquito bites when rubbed on the skin. The flowers can be used to make tea, and the fruits for seasoning.
Country of origin: Vietnam
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: Fruit
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an important spice and medicinal plant. Grown in tropical regions, this evergreen plant is commonly planted in Southeast Asia, Australia and the Caribbean, especially in Indonesia and Grenada. Nutmeg fruit is usually used to make two common spices: nutmeg kernels and nutmeg skin (for seasoning), and the nut can also be used to make essential oils.
Country of origin: Madagascar
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: Nuts
Citronella
Citronella is the collective name for about 55 kinds of aromatic plants under the family Gramineae Cymbopogon. It is one of the most commonly found herbs. As they have lemon aroma, it is also known as ‘lemon grass’. Citronella oil is brown in colour with a refreshing aroma. The main purpose is for refining scent essence, artificial colouring, and perfume making. It can also be used to repel mosquitoes and bugs.
Country of origin: India;Indonesia;Sri Lanka
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: Whole plants
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Fennel
A perennial herb with aromatic seeds commonly used as spice. It has leaves shaped like splitting hair. It has yellow flowers in summer, and the whole plant has a strong aroma. The stems are edible when tender and young; while its seeds can be used as spices or medicine, known as ‘cumin’. As an evergreen shrub, it has oblong-shaped leaves, and blossoms in early summer with red flowers and octagonal fruits which can be used for seasoning or medicine, known as ‘star anise’ or ‘aniseed’.
Country of origin: France
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Extraction parts: seeds