Rare & Precious: M is for Mimosa
Over the last several months, I’ve been working on a new perfume. It’s a light, ethereal fragrance that evokes springtime, and one of the ingredients in the formula is an essence called mimosa absolute. Considered a rare and precious aromatic material, mimosa absolute is a uniquely beautiful scent that’s a must-have in the natural perfumer’s palette. Here’s a bit of detail about it …
Derived from the fuzzy yellow blossoms of the acacia dealbata tree, mimosa absolute is a floral note with a mesmerizing soft, sweet-powdery, honey-like scent profile. It has delicate green and woody back notes, and conveys traces of hay, tea and almonds. Warm and bright, it projects a quietly powerful radiance.
The scent of mimosa is relaxing and sensuous. It brings to mind early spring, when flowers are just beginning to bloom and there’s a feeling of renewal in the air. Mimosa’s soothing, almost nostalgic fragrance creates a sense of connection and optimism.
A prized ingredient in luxury perfumery, mimosa absolute is a sophisticated middle-to-base note with versatile application in fragrance formulas. Its distinctive powdery aroma complements other floral and woody notes, adding warmth and depth to the final scent. It works well in fruity accords, in amber fragrances, and as a bridge between middle and base notes.
Mimosa’s sunny, powdery sweetness brings a refreshing naturalness to a fragrance when used in smaller amounts. In larger amounts, its enchanting allure can be an exquisite centerpiece for a perfume.
You might think a scent that’s characterized as soft and powdery wouldn’t have much staying power, but mimosa absolute is surprisingly tenacious. It functions as a fixative, meaning it extends the dry-down of a perfume, and harmonizes the overall blend.
As I mentioned above, mimosa absolute is obtained from the flowers of the acacia dealbata tree (botanical name: acacia decurrens var. dealbata). The tree is native to Australia but is cultivated in the south of France, where most of the natural mimosa absolute used in perfumery is produced.
The mimosa flowers are harvested by hand in March and April when they are in full bloom, and the delicate blossoms are then carefully solvent-extracted to procure the absolute. It takes approximately five-hundred kilograms of flowers to produce just one kilogram of mimosa absolute.
As a result of this labor-intensive and expensive production process, mimosa absolute costs about six hundred and thirty dollars per ounce.
Two of my other fragrances — Lotusland and Westport — contain mimosa absolute. It’s a really lovely aromatic material that I enjoy working with.
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of my new fragrance! — Claudia