Always wanted to understand better how vetiver, tonkabeans, patchouli grow and how they are used in perfumes? Givaudan's renewed company website has interesting explanatory parts on both perfume aromachemicals as naturals. Get a taste of it, viewing the part on vetiver and "discover the roots of masculinity in Haiti"...
Facts about vetiver
"Like fine wine, the longer you distill the languorously smoky roots of the native Indonesian grass vetiver, the richer the aroma. Related to lemongrass, vetiver invokes images of freshly tilled soil and chopped wood.
Popular in male perfumery for these strong earthy overtones, it is in huge demand and implementing sustainable farming methods is essential for its future supply.
- Smoky, hay-like odour.
- 150 kg of roots of vetiver is required to make just 1 kg of essence.
- Roots must reach at least 1 metre to be harvested.
- It takes 12 months to grow.
- Haiti produces over 50% of the world's vetiver supply."
Source and interesting video on vetiver growth & harvest: Givaudan company website