The aroma of Tuberose absolute
As with many absolutes, Tuberose has a rich, complex aroma. It contains aromatic components such as alcohols and esters, along with other less common elements such as ketones and eugenol. The latter is found predominantly in Clove oil and brings a spicy element to the fragrance.
Tuberose also contains indole in small amounts. Present in Jasmine and Neroli oils, indole is responsible for the ‘animalistic’ (sometimes slightly ‘icky’!) note. Indole is also found in garden plants such as lilac, gardenia and honeysuckle, all of which smell heady and somewhat sexual.
Interestingly Hawthorn flowers also have an rather ‘animalistic’ fragrance in the springtime but for a different reason. In this case the animalistic aroma is caused by triethylamine – a totally different substance but with a similar effect. Somehow these components make the aroma of the oil both appealing and repellent at the same time and perfumers are able to use this quality to their advantage.
How to experience the aroma
Rather than being steam distilled, absolutes are extracted using alcohol or hexane. This gives a very concentrated, powerful aroma with a broad and full scent profile. Inhaling the oil straight from the bottle can sometimes be overpowering which is why it’s so important to experience the aroma correctly.
To truly experience the fragrance of an absolute or essential oil it is best to use a scent strip. This allows all of the components to vaporise. When detected by the nose you can then experience the true scent of the oil rather than just the most immediate notes.
How to use Tuberose in a floral blend.
Adding Tuberose to a lighter floral blend brings depth and body. Remember that you only need a very small amount. Start with one drop, mix and evaluate the aroma on a scent stick. Tuberose is generally only used in perfumery however it is safe to use in a blend for the skin at a very low concentration. 1% or less will add a sensual note to your massage or body oil without overpowering it.
Blending thick or sticky essential oils
Tuberose absolute can be very thick and sometimes tricky to use. To blend thick oils it is sometimes necessary to warm them gently over an extended period of time. This is best done in a water bath with enough warm water just to cover the glass without any being able to enter the bottle. Note that repeated heating can degrade the oil so it’s best to blend or dilute the whole quantity in one go if you can. Also try to keep the water temperature below 60C to ensure the oil begins to flow with the minimum of heating.
Tuberose blends well with citrus oils such as Mandarin, Bergamot, Bitter Orange and Neroli. Of course it complements floral oils like Ylang Ylang, Mimosa, Osmanthus and Rose. Its slightly spicy element works well with Ginger, Carrot Seed Coriander and Turmeric. It also benefits from being paired with more specialist perfumery oils such as Ambrette Seed, Amyris, Tonka and can be ‘grounded’ by oils earthy Vetiver or Patchouli.
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