Perfume is an essence that is produced by combining a variety of fragrant raw materials, essential oils, glue like substances and solvents for emitting sweet smelling odors to the environment and human body. The terminology has evolved from a Latin sound while perfume manufacturing is believed to have been developed by the Romans and Persians. The art of perfume manufacturing was known to the Indians, but this type of essence was typically incense based.

According to research based studies the inception of perfume dates back to more than 4000 years. Initially herbs, spices and flowers were the predominant ingredients used to produce scent. The credit of extracting essential oils from flowers through the distillation process goes to the Persian doctor named Ibn Sina. Before the distillation process was in vogue, perfume constituted of blending powdered herbs and rose petals.

The distillation methodology as well as mixing of raw materials has considerably shaped Western perfume manufacturing. The technique of blending raw ingredients for producing perfumes had its root in Renaissance Italy and France. The latter became the central region for various perfume manufacturers. Different methods of flower cultivation escalated into a leading industry in Southern regions of France especially in Grasse which played a dominant role in cultivating fragrant herbs and supplied raw ingredients to the expanding perfume sector.

The numerous categories of perfume indicate the intensity of fragrant compounds in the mixture from where the fragrance emits. This is typically ethanol or a combination of water and ethanol. Essential oil is mixed with a fixative as most undiluted oils cause allergic reaction if applied directly on the human skin. Studies have also revealed that the essence of undiluted perfume oil reeks far too intensely hence it has to be blended with coconut oil, jojoba oil and liquid wax.

The intensity of blending of water, ethanol and oils varies for manufacturing men and women fragrances. Men`s fragrance is rarely essential oils extract whereas women`s perfume is basically a concentration of different types of solvents and oils. However, perfume connoisseurs are extremely skilled in identifying the different components and origin of scents. The realistic way of identifying a perfume is to be in the know how of the aromatic levels of the scent that creates the everlasting essence of any perfume.

The highest level of any perfume is the fundamental aromatic smell that is emitted as soon as the perfume is applied. The middle level of the essence is apparent after the dispersion of the top note. The notes constitute the theme of the essence. The aroma which emanates after the dispersion of the mid-point note is the fundamental essence. This blending of the various levels of perfume ingredients comprises the main body of the aroma. It is normally noticed after half an hours` application. These notes are created carefully by the manufacturers who have intense knowledge and knowhow of the evaporation process.

With all-round technological advancement as well as further improvement in elegance and flavor, nowadays perfume is show cased as vibrant flower essence, woody, water based, tangy, fruit based or food based scent. Each type is based on a particular type of scent like gourmand pertains to food flavor such as vanilla essence while fruity features fruit aromas. Similarly, aquatic indicates a woody essence while floral refers to traditional flowers or bouquets. Some renowned perfume manufacturing organizations are Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Channel, and others. Each organization is well known for initiating aromatic perfumes with exclusive fragrance.

You can have access to articles about perfume in portuguese language from page Perfume

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil