White Lotus Aromatics Newsletter - Jasmine of Grasse
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Jasmine Elegance Perfume
We are now concluding our series on the history of Grasse and the major aromatic plants(rose de mai, violet, jasmine, neroli, tuberose, lavender) that factored into the rise of this ancient town as the center of fragrance culture in the West. Those who have not read the earlier newsletters but wish to can find them in the newsletter archives:
History of Grasse 1
History of Grasse 2
Lavender of Provence
Neroli of Grasse
Rose de Mai of Grasse
Tuberose of Grasse
Violet of Grasse
Jasmine has been at the center of Grasse's perfume culture for several centuries, well before it was cultivated on a grand scale that began in the later part of the 19th century and continued into the mid part of the 20th century. Even today very modest cultivation continues in and around Grasse but most of that crop and its subsequent extraction goes to a few major perfume houses that use this precious and elegant essence in high class perfumery. The perfume, Jasmine Elegance, has been created in honor of this delicate flower and its ethereal aroma.
I loved it directly. I saw it twinkling high above the valley in the warm September night. The windows were open, and the scent of jasmine came flowing through the railway carriage, bring with it memories of my Sussex garden. Scents have a very strong influence on some people, and I am not sure but that the perfumes of Grasse count for something in my affection for the little town. Wherever you walk you are met by fragrant breezes. They bring the flows in by waggon or train, packed in great shallow baskets, and, as you climb up and down the steep narrow streets, you are constantly aware of some subtle fragrance. "Ha! jasmine!" you say, or perhaps "lavender!" or "tuberose!" and next moment on turning a corner you will come fact to face with a cart piled high with the blossoms.
--from Rambles About the Riviera
by Edward Strasburger-1909
Through the partially open window came
the lulling sound of a little trickling fountain in the garden, and
the air was redolent of jasmine and orange-blossoms. On the pier-table
was a little sleeping Cupid, from whose torch rose the fragrant
incense of a nearly extinguished pastille. The pervasive spirit of
beauty in the room, manifested in forms, colors, tones, and motions,
affected the soul as perfume did the senses.
--from A Romance of the Republic
by L. Maria Child
Jasmine Elegance Perfume
1/8th ounce of Jasmin sambac absolute
1/8th ounce of Jasmin grandiflorum hydrodistilled
3/4 ounce of Jasmin grandiflorum absolute
1/8 ounce of Henna Leaf absolute
1/4 ounce of Neroli eo
1/4 ounce of White Champa Flower eo
1/16th ounce of Galbanum eo
1/8th ounce of Jasmin auriculatum absolute
1/8th ounce of Labdanum "amber note" absolute
1/8th ounce of Ambrette Seed absolute
1/8th ounce of Vanilla CO2(12%vanillin)
1/2 ounce of White Water Lily Attar
1/16th ounce of Rose Otto
1/16th ounce of Labdanum "incense note" absolute
