ENFLEURAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Enfleurage is a traditional technique used in perfume making and essential oil extraction. The term "enfleurage" originates from the French word "fleur," meaning "flower."
Enfleurage involves a meticulous and time-consuming process where plants or flowers are placed onto a greasy substance, often animal fat or vegetable oil, to extract their fragrance or essential oil compounds. This method is particularly suitable for delicate flowers that cannot endure the heat and pressure typically used in other extraction techniques.
The process of enfleurage typically begins with freshly harvested flowers or petals being spread over a layer of fat or oil, creating a fragrant flower bed. Over time, the flowers slowly release their essential oils which are absorbed by the fat or oil underneath. This process, known as "impregnation," can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, allowing the fragrance to fully infuse the fat.
The saturated fat or oil, now imbued with the desired scent, is then carefully scraped off the surface and replaced with fresh flowers. This method is repeated multiple times until the fat reaches its maximum saturation point. Finally, the fat is washed in alcohol to separate and isolate the essential oil, resulting in a highly concentrated aromatic substance known as an "absolute."
Enfleurage is a traditional technique that has been largely replaced by modern methods such as steam distillation and solvent extraction due to its labor-intensive nature and relative inefficiency for large-scale production. However, it is still utilized by some artisan perfumers and natural extract manufacturers seeking to capture the delicate aromas of certain botanicals which are better preserved through this gentle extraction technique.
Common Misspellings for ENFLEURAGE
- enfleurage
- wnfleurage
- snfleurage
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- rnfleurage
- 4nfleurage
- 3nfleurage
- emfleurage
- ejfleurage
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- encleurage
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- enrleurage
- enfkeurage
- enfpeurage
- enfoeurage
- enflwurage
Etymology of ENFLEURAGE
The word "enfleurage" is derived from the French verb "fleurer", which means "to scent" or "to perfume". The prefix "en" in French generally indicates "in" or "within". Therefore, "enfleurage" can be understood as the process of extracting or capturing the scent of flowers. In the context of perfumery and the production of essential oils, it refers to a specific ancient technique used to extract fragrance from flowers by using fats or oils.
