Rose oil can also be extracted using CO2, which is a newer method of extracting flavors and aromas. It’s expensive to do, but reportedly yields the truest version of the original flower’s original fragrance, and so you get a superior product. Aside from the cost, the reason why this process is seldom used has to do with the locations of CO2 plants, which are often not next to the fields, as opposed to the more conventional methods. Also known as the Provence rose or cabbage rose, this flower is mostly cultivated in France and Morocco. In France, it is grown in Grasse, undoubtedly the old world capital of perfume, since 1650. It is slightly less common than the Damask rose, but also dearly loved by the perfume world. This variety offers a tenacious odor that has been described as a rich, voluptuous, true rose scent with undertones of honey and green. But it is pricey: The price of 1 kg absolute of rose de mai is about 16.000 Euros.

Lutece Houbigant perfume - a fragrance for women 1984 Lutece Houbigant perfume - a fragrance for women 1984

Considering the star status that rose has in the perfume world, you can imagine how much demand there is for its essential oils as ingredients. But, as you’ll see below, it’s not a cheap or easy process to get that precious natural scent into a bottle. Similar to rose absolutes, organic rose extract – sometimes called by its French name, extrait – is derived using a solvent extraction process, but the difference is that only benign solvents are used. The resulting essence is typically softer and less intense than conventional rose absolute made with hexane, and can be certified as an organic product. The color of the extrait is greenish, and the cost falls somewhere in between rose otto and rose absolute.

Rose perfume is good for you: Roses & aromatherapy