Absolutes

An absolute is a concentrated aromatic extract made by treating an extracted botanical material with ethanol, then removing the ethanol. This additional separation helps retain aromatic constituents while reducing waxes and other less alcohol-soluble material.

How an absolute is made

A common floral preparation begins with solvent extraction of fresh flowers. Removing that solvent leaves a concrete: a mixture containing fragrant compounds, plant waxes and other extracted substances.

The concrete is washed with ethanol, which dissolves much of its aromatic material. Cooling and filtration separate out much of the wax, and the ethanol is removed to produce the absolute. Absolutes can also be prepared from resinoids and other extracted materials.[1]

What the process gathers

This route can retain fragrant compounds with a wider range of volatility than ordinary steam distillation. It can also carry less volatile constituents that contribute to the extract’s body and character.[2,3]

An absolute consequently has its own composition and aromatic profile. Its relationship to the original plant depends on both the initial extraction and the later alcohol separation.

Related entries: Extraction & solubility; Resinoids; Essential oils.