Many of you have heard of, or read Orchid Fever. The topic of this thread is touched on in the book, and ive thrown together a bit of info on it.
Info and excerpts from Orchid Fever, by Eric Hansen.
Shiseido company from Japan. Interview with Mr. Katsuhiko Tokuda, senior perfumer from Shiseido.
Developed perfume based on Chinese Cymbidiums named Tantatrice (French word meaning “temptress” or “seducer”.)
Was not available outside of Japan as of printing of book, 2000. Why? Read on. (A quick trip to the website verified it is not listed at all now.)
The Japanese divide orchids into 2 basic groups. First, is To-yo-ran, oriental orchids, from Taiwan, Japan, China, and Korea. These orchids have small, fragrant flowers. They have been collected and grown for there foliage and scent throughout history. The second group, are those orchids introduced from European and other Western countries after 1868.
In Japan, there is a big difference between the 2 groups. Americans typically appreciate orchids for color, shape, and big size (would you like to Super Size that?). They hybridize an orchid to get something new. The result sometimes looking manipulated and unnatural.
To-yo-ran emphasizes fragrance, leaves, container, and potting mix. Overall presentation is more important than a big flower on top.
To-yo-ran orchids are used to perfume homes. Common ones used are Cymbidium faberi, Cym. kanran, Dend. moniliforme, Neofinetia falcata, and Calanthe izu-insularis.
The perfume Tentatrice was described as a bouquet of jasmine and lily-of-the-valley, with oakmoss, musk, and amber notes combined with epijasmonate. Methyl epijasmonate (C13H20O3) was isolated from Cym faberi and used to create Tentatrice.
Per quote by Mr. Tokuda of Shiseido:
“It is very subtle and light in a crowd of people and it might not be noticed. It was specifically designed for the Japanese domestic market, and just like our preference for To-yo-ran orchids, we have our own perfume preference. Orchids are designated to attract a certain insect, and each flower sends out a fragrance message to attract that insect. The other insects do not understand the message from that flower. In the same way, Tentatrice sends out a fragrance message for a certain type of person. The other people do not react, because they do not understand the message”.
oke:
