Product Overview
The genus Osmanthus is in the same botanical family – Oleaceae – as Jasmine and Lilac[1]; this species, O. fragrans, is an evergreen shrub[2] native to eastern Asia. The yield of Osmanthus absolute is only about one kilo per 1,000 kilos of flowers harvested in September/October,[3] another, older source states three times as many flowers yield one kilo,[4] the difference in weight of flowers required is more than likely due to seasonal changes, time of harvest, etc. – this, plus the expense of labor involved in hand harvesting contributes to the comparably high cost for this precious aromatic oil.
1 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 499-500.
2 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. Essential Oils - A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice, 2nd ed., 2012, p. 250.
3 Naturals Compendium, International Flavors & Fragrances, 2009, p. 116.
4 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 499-500.
5 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 74.
6 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 378.