cuminaldehyde, p-mentha-1,3-diene-7-al, p-menth-3-ene-7-al
and gamma-terpinene
Cuminum cyminum (Umbelliferae)
Cumin seeds are one of the world's most popular spices, especially beloved in India, Asia, South America and North Africa. Europeans have recently become acquainted with the cumin flavour from the influence of the 'cuisine' of the Near East. A falafel would be impossible without the cumin flavour. Moreover, the seeds form an important part of curry powder.
The main component of cumin essential oil is 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde or cuminaldehyde (> 30 %), together with smaller amounts of p-mentha-1,3-diene-7-al, p-menth-3-ene-7-al and gamma-terpinene - all compounds with the same carbon skeleton [55].
See also caraway.
isopatchoulenone, cyperene, isopatchoul-3-ene and isopatchoula-3,5-diene
Cyperus scariosus (Cyperaceae) Nagarmotha, Cypriol
Cyperus is a large genus of sedges, the most famous of which is Cyperus papyrus, used in ancient Egypt for making paper. Another sedge, Cyperus scariosus, is known in India as Nagar Mustaka or Nagarmotha. The aromatic roots of this "marsh grass" have been used in the same way as vetiver roots for the scenting of saris and other women's clothing. By steam distillation of the roots, the so-called cypriol or cyperus oil is obtained, having interesting perfumery properties. It has an Oriental character - a diffusive, woody-earthy odour with notes of cinnamon, cedar and frankincense. The main constituents are sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene alcohols and sesquiterpene ketones, some of which are shown [156][157].
Cypriol was used, for example, in Xeryus (Givenchy 1986), a floral, woody, semi-Oriental fragrance developed by Firmenich.
P.S. The photo shows the closely related Cyperus diffusus.
alpha-pinene, 3-carene, terpinyl acetate, cedrol, decadienyl isovalerate
Cupressus sempervirens (Cupressaceae) Mediterranean cypress
C. sempervirens is one of the most characteristic trees of the Mediterranean region. Its pointed pillar-like
dark-green crown is a pictorial element of the landscapes and is seldom missed in paintings from this area. It origins in the eastern part of the Mediterranean area but was early imported to Italy and soon found its way towards the west.
Cypress oil is produced on a minor scale in southern France, Spain and Algeria by distillation of twig cuttings. It is a mobile liquid with a woody-piney odor and an ambergris note. Major components of the oil are alpha-pinene and delta-3-carene. Other olfactorily important compounds are alpha-terpinyl acetate, cedrol and (E)2-(Z)4-decadienyl isovalerate [6].
Etymology: Lat. sempervirens, evergreen.
davanone and davana ether
Davana
Artemisia pallens (Compositae)
Artemisia pallens is a small, herbaceous plant with an exquisite
aroma. It is grown in the southern parts of India, particularly in the
states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The fragrance of the
herb and its essential oil is described as deep, mellow, persistent and
characteristically fruity. Hindus are offering the flowering plants to
Shiva, the God of Transformation.
In the late 1960's davana oil caught fancy of perfumers in USA and Europe.
The newly launched perfume
Idole d'Armani (Armani 2009) includes davana oil as a special note.
Davana oil has a number of rare furanoid sesquiterpenes as major constituents,
e.g. davanone (> 50 %) and davana ether. Other important odoriferous
ingredients are methyl cinnamate and ethyl cinnamate [221] [222] [223].
Etymology: Tamil Dhavanam.