The Method

Natures Nexus

The Method

Attempting Enfleurage

Enfleurage is one of the oldest known methods of extracting fragrant molecules from flowers. It originated in France around the 19th century and was used to make highly concentrated natural perfumery materials. Purified animal fat was used, it had no smell and was solid at room temperature. The fragrant petals or flowers were placed into the fat which would have been spread thickly on plates of glass. These plates were called chassis. The flowers were left to sit undisturbed for up to 3 days until they were spent of their fragrance. Then they were removed carefully and replaced with fresh petals. This process continued until the fat was heavily saturated with scent.