At the sources of the perfumes of the world
Audio 48:30
Vanilla was imported to Île Bourbon in 1820, when sugar cane was developed.
First for ornamental purposes, it was cultivated on 4800 ha from the end of the 19th century!
Today, less than 200 ha remain, scattered throughout the east of the island.
Géraud Bosman / RFI
By: Emmanuelle Bastide
50 mins
Indonesian patchouli, Australian sandalwood, ylang ylang from Madagascar, Amazonian rubber… So many exceptional scents which are used in the composition of perfumes.
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In search of these precious essences, there are a few initiates who have made it their profession, that of sourcing scents.
These essence hunters travel the world in search of these raw materials, which are often subject to bad weather, deforestation, but also to criminal circuits and fluctuating prices.
What are the most popular essences?
How to ensure the sustainability of ancestral know-how and guarantee producers' income?
With :
Dominique Roques
, sourcer for
Firmenich
, a company creating fragrances and aromas.
Author of
Gatherer of essences - At the sources of the perfumes of the world
(Grasset)
Adolphe Samsidine
, producer of ylang-ylang and essential oils in Nosy-Be (a small island in the north-west of Madagascar) and president of the platform of ylang-ylang operators in Nosy-Be.
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