Osmanthus

Description

Osmanthus fragrans, fam. Oleaceae is a flower native to China that is valued for its delicate fruity-floral apricot aroma.

It is especially valued as an additive for tea and other beverages in the far east.

While the flowers of Osmanthus range from silver-white (var. latifolius Mak.) to gold-orange (var. thunbergii Mak.) to reddish (var. aurantiacus Mak.), the extract (alcohol absolute) is usually prepared from the gold-orange flowers.

Osmanthus absolute is very expensive and accordingly is used in only the most valuable perfumes.

It does help reduce stress and has anti-depressant qualities too.

In China, old sweet olive trees ( 桂花 Chinese name for Osmanthus fragrans) are revered, signed and interpreted, and given holy attendance.  Protective fences mark their importance. 

During October when the species is at its best, over ten Chinese cities honor the plant with a wide variety of special holidays.  In a carnival-like atmosphere, Chinese citizens flock to sweet olive festivals to bask in the fragrance and glory of the plant.

Flower fragrance is held in high esteem, and I was told that with some varieties, only two flowers floating in a teacup were needed to fill a small closed room with fragrance.

The most ancient plant known in China rests comfortably on the grounds of the Shengshui Temple, Nanzheng County, Shannxi Province, and is over 2100 years old.  It’s forty feet in height and this mystical tree was planted by the Xiaohe himself, the Minister of the Han Dynasty.  The most impressive tree that I’ve seen up close was the stately specimen in the landscape of Linggu Temple, Nanjing city, Jiangsu province, this dense-foliaged giant is over 20’ tall, sixty inches in circumference, and sports a crown diameter of 25’.  It rests alone in the valley and when in bloom on a still early morning the entire valley is filled with its magic.  Keep in mind that sweet olives are one of the ten “traditional flowers of China” and this is a species planted in the millions.

Our perfume with Osmanthus: Frutti Paradisi