MENTHOL, ICE AREA
published on 2023-10-27This summer 2023, in the presence of Stella, a first year Master ICAP Aromas and Perfumes student at the University of Montpellier and my intern and intern for 6 months within Osmoart, we were able to evaluate different samples of menthol from the company Indian Hindustan.
Fresh air from a warm country.
MENTHOL EVALUATION
The samples bearing an identical CAS number, a number corresponding to a unique registration of a chemical substance, we literally froze our noses, icing our nostrils, to detect olfactory differences.
The products were in different aspects, in powder, in crystals, in liquid form.
The icy effect we know from this molecule was different for each product.
Indeed, menthol also has a tactile sensory function.
Menthol flake or fondue powder is a transparent white liquid with the evidence of this cold metal note but slightly that of a levorotatory and herbaceous carvone of a natural green mint.
They are obtained by rapid freezing and crystallization of Mentha arvensis oil.
Menthol Neo, in liquid form, reveals sulfur notes like those of menthofuran or grapefruit.
The thick crystals of natural menthol are sharp but reveal a herbaceous and sweet effect of green tea.
OLFACTORY CREATION
One of these qualities of menthol is used in our perfume LILITH, Dark Heroine:
“Her headspace like a cold metal stethoscope on your chest.
Far from the medical molecules of tuberose flower essence, cineole and methyl salicylate which freeze your blood.
A simple agreement between the fractionated essential oil of a cold spice and an ice molecule.
An icy effect that bites into the skin like solenoglyph fangs piercing it to release the cold venom into your veins.”
Photographs taken for the Fragrant Regards project by Pierre Bénard on Instagram: fragrant_regards
Suivre le projet de créations de Pierre Bénard sur Instagram : @oz_parfums
