Invaluable in natural perfumery, Vanilla smooths rough edges, warms floral blends, and softens coniferous notes. Our certified organic Vanilla Absolute has a deep, sweet, warm, rich, characteristic vanilla aroma with caramel and chocolate-like nuances and deep balsamic undertones. Our producer in Madagascar uses only organic ethanol as the solvent (no hexane), rendering an organic Vanilla Absolute for your formulations. Please note that the vanillin content of this extract can range from 3 – 15% (see our COA for the lot specific percentage) compared to greater than 8% in our non-organic Vanilla Absolute. Also, this material is soluble in alcohol but only partially soluble in fixed (carrier/vegetal) oils.

The fragrance of vanilla is one of universal appeal – the familiar aroma invites sensuality and confidence, conveys comfort, and softens the ambiance.[1],[2] Try blending it with your favorite essential oils, absolutes and CO2 extracts. To add a green note to vanilla, use Violet Leaf; adding traces of Celery or Caraway CO2 makes it sophisticated and intimate.[3]

Vanilla, a flowering tropical plant of the orchid family, is a very costly and labor-intensive crop. It takes approximately 4-5 years after planting for vanilla to set its first blossoms and it takes 600 hand-pollinated blossoms to produce only 1 kilo of cured vanilla pods. Vanilla flowers are pollinated between November and January and continue to grow until the June or July harvest when the still-green pods are hand-picked and sorted by maturity. The pods are then blanched in hot water – alternately laid out in the sun by day and then ‘sweated’ by night – whereby an enzymatic process takes place and the vanillin molecule develops (a process that can take up to six months under careful scrutiny). Shortening this lengthy process leads to an inferior, but less costly product and is probably why synthetic vanillin has all but replaced the natural. No wonder true vanilla is such a precious commodity!

For pre-blended and affordable dilutions of Vanilla, please see our high-quality Vanilla CO2, organic – 10% or Vanilla CO2 – 30%. Please also note that this material is only partially soluble in fixed (carrier/vegetal) oils.

Need help deciding which Vanilla is right for you? Please see this informative article in our Education section:

Which Vanilla Should I Buy?  How to Choose a Vanilla for your Aromatic Creations