The origin of the word “Ginger” comes from an Indian language, Sanskrit, where ” srngavera ” means ” shaped like a stag’s horn ” referring to the shape of the ginger rhizome.
Writings dating back over 3,000 years describe the use of ginger in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian traditions. It has been used for thousands of years in the East but was introduced to Europe by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC. Beyond traditional medicine, Ginger was used for its aphrodisiac properties in the Middle Ages and was even used as currency due to its high price at the time, equal to that of pepper.
Over time, Ginger gradually made its way into kitchens and has now become one of the most widely used spices in daily life.
Ginger in Perfumes
Like Vetiver, Ginger is a tropical perennial plant, but it belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It can grow up to one meter in height and has long leaves and small white and yellow flowers.
Its rhizome, with its distinct shape, is also called ” Ginger ” just like the plant. This part of the plant is used in both cooking and perfumery.
There is only one species of ginger used in perfumery : Zingiber officinale. This species is primarily cultivated in India and China but also in Jamaica and West Africa.
Raw Material from Ginger
Ginger is harvested once a year when its leaves turn yellow. The rhizomes are then dried for one to two weeks before being steam-distilled to obtain Ginger essential oil. There is also Fresh Ginger essential oil, where the rhizomes are not dried and are distilled directly after harvest.
Additionally, there is CO2 Ginger extract, obtained through a more complex extraction technique : supercritical CO2 extraction.
Ginger, from the Perfumer’s Point of View
Ginger essential oil belongs to the olfactory family of spices, particularly cold spices. It is used in the top and heart notes of perfumes. This raw material blends beautifully with amber notes, adding a bit of freshness, and with citrus notes for its strength and longevity.
Ginger has a fresh, zesty, lemon-like note in the top that gradually gives way to a peppery note. Finally, an earthy facet reminiscent of the root rounds out the fragrance.
Some fragrances around Ginger note
- Nutmeg and Ginger – Jo Malone – 1990
- Dzing! – L’Artisan Parfumeur – 1999
- Sugar Lemon – Fresh – 2000
- Miracle – Lancôme – 2000
- Eau de Gingembre – Roger Gallet – 2003
- L’Eau de L’Eau – Diptyque – 2008
- Armani Code Sport – Giorgio Armani – 2011
- Twilly – Hermès – 2017
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