The Exotic Warmth

There are more than 1000 species in the ginger family from Africa, Asia, and the Americas and many of them are fragrant. All have large rhizomes or underground stems that are fleshy and often spicy. Many are used as ornamental plants having unusual flowers and attractive foliage.

Ginger is used in perfumery to add spice and depth to Oriental or spice blends. When fresh ginger is distilled, depending on the type, it can bring a light, lemony note that is lovely with citruses and tropical florals, a true zingy ginger odour or a deep, spicy, woody scent sometimes accompanied by a hint of earthiness.

Fresh ginger is unexpected and original and adds freshness, heat and spice to floral blends. It blends well with amber, bitter orange, petitgrain and pink lotus. Two types of essential oils are produced from ginger, one from the dried rhizome and one from the fresh rhizome.

The ancient Romans loved to use ginger in cooking, for medicinal purposes, as an aphrodisiac and even in scent, but its use declined after the fall of the Roman Empire. Marco Polo came back from the Far East with ginger, bringing it back into favour in Europe. Ginger played an important role in the spice trade, commanding high prices. The sources of ginger were often kept secret and stories were told of spice merchants dripping in wealth. Ginger is one of the spices mentioned in 1001 Arabian nights.