Tea in perfumery

The Origins of Tea

Various legends surround the origin of tea. One legend dates back to 2737 BC, when leaves from a tree fell into Emperor Chen Nung's hot water. Another version attributes the origin of tea to the fifth century, when an Indian monk fell asleep after nine hours of meditation. To punish himself for his weakness, he cut off his eyelids, which, upon falling to the ground, gave birth to the tea plant. Historically, it is believed that tea cultivation began in China's Sichuan and Yunnan regions. Tea containers from the Han dynasty, around the second century BC, have been discovered. By the ninth century, tea had reached Japan and the Arab world. Trade networks transported the plant globally, beginning in the third century, with a famous route known as the tea road. Tea eventually arrived in Europe in the 16th century.

Various Types of Tea

Today, a diverse array of tea colors exists, including black, green, yellow, white, oolong, and post-fermented teas. These varieties result from different treatments of the harvested leaves. The main stages of tea production are picking, withering, desiccation (for white, green, yellow, or oolong tea), oxidation (for black, oolong, or yellow teas), rolling, drying, sorting, and final cooking or roasting (for black or oolong teas).

Tea in Perfumery

The first tea note in perfumery was introduced in 1985 by Annick Goutal, featuring a smoked tea scent. However, Jean-Claude Ellena popularized tea notes in perfumery in 1992. Hailing from an Irish family, Ellena incorporated his personal history into several of his fragrances. Various teas, such as green tea, black tea, and jasmine-flavored tea, are now incorporated into perfumes. These tea notes are obtained through distillation, infusion, or reproduction from other essences, imparting an aromatic and varying intensity to the fragrances containing them. The green tea note, for instance, is frequently used in perfumery for its fresh trail, while black tea provides a more smoky and woody dimension.

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Fun Facts About Tea in Perfumery

1. Annick Goutal's introduction of the smoked tea note in 1985 marked a groundbreaking moment for tea notes in perfumery.
2. Jean-Claude Ellena, a renowned perfumer, helped popularize tea notes in perfumery by incorporating his own personal history into his fragrances.
3. Green tea notes are known for their fresh and uplifting scents, while black tea notes evoke a smoky, woody aroma.
4. Tea notes in perfumery can be obtained through various methods, including distillation, infusion, and reproduction from other essences.