Ambrette

Ambrette is a large annual or biennial herbaceous plant. Native to India and the tropical forests of Asia, ambrette belongs to the malvaceae family. Ambrette, often confused with hibiscus, can reach 3.50m. As for its leaves, they are rough, covered with small hairs and have highly variable shapes, with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm. From these leaves, the small seeds are used. They are dried, crushed and then distilled to obtain a waxy solid, rich in fatty acids, called ambrette butter. This is then treated and washed in an alkaline medium. This yields a pure essence called ambrette seed absolute.

Ambrette, the musk seed

Ambrette releases an amber, powdery, musky, slightly animalic fragrance. In fact, ambrette is often referred to as the vegetal musk, to the point that it is often used as an alternative to musk of animal origin. Ambrette also offers floral and fruity notes resembling pear or plum. It should be noted that ambrette is considered a seductive, warm and sensual note. It is therefore mostly found as a base note in oriental, amber or chypre perfumes. This is the case for Désir pour Femme by Rochas. Ambrette in the base note is paired with patchouli and sandalwood. The heart, meanwhile, is a sweet bouquet of freesia, rose, lily and magnolia. As its name suggests, Désir pour Femme is an ode to pleasure blending mystery and sensuality...

Ambrette and its pairing with different olfactory families

Ambrette pairs perfectly well with rich raw materials such as rose, patchouli, incense or neroli. Its musky fragrance also makes ambrette a note that blends very well into floral perfumes. This is the case in Elle by Yves Saint Laurent. Here, ambrette is again used as a base note, accompanied by patchouli and vetiver. The heart is thoroughly floral thanks to rose, freesia and jasmine. Elle is the very essence of femininity. Unpredictable and vibrant, this composition is surprising, in the image of the modern woman. While ambrette is one of the most seductive notes in perfumery, it is no less a masculine note. It admirably proves this in a great fragrance, Égoïste by Chanel... A fragrance for men with strong personalities. The fruity aspect of ambrette also allows it to pair with fresh, aromatic fragrances, as in Jetlag by Azzaro. Fresh, with aromatic and woody sillage, Jetlag is a fragrance for bold men.

Ambrette is a large plant that resembles hibiscus. Ambrette grains were once used to powder hair. It releases a powdery, musky scent, but also offers fruity notes. Some perfumers use ambrette as an alternative to animal musk, which is difficult to obtain. A true seductive weapon, ambrette is used in oriental, woody, chypre and floral perfumes. It can also be paired with other notes such as aromatic, fruity or citrus notes.