It acquires a sweet, earthy scent as it ages, commonly likened to the fragrance of isopropyl alcohol without the vaporous chemical astringency Ambergris is formed in the bowels of sperm whales Sperm whales are particularly fond of squid, and though the squid’s body is soft, their mouth contains a hard beak that is not readily digestible The whales must expel the hard beaks by vomiting them up. Ambergris, a solid waxy substance originating in the intestine of the sperm whale (physeter macrocephalus) In eastern cultures ambergris is used for medicines and potions and as a spice
In the west it was used to stabilize the scent of fine perfumes. Ambergris is made by sperm whales and has been used by people for centuries Find out what it is made from, how it ends up in the ocean and whether we still use ambergris in perfumes. Ambergris is a smooth, waxy and usually round substance that the feces of large sperm whales It is initially soft and has a terrible smell, but after floating in the ocean for about a decade, it hardens and the smell becomes so fragrant, it’s a coveted ingredient for fine perfumes. Ambergris, a mysterious treasure of the deep seas, has captivated the human imagination for centuries
Just by the name alone, you may think that the origin of ambergris is similar to the formation of amber, fossilized tree resin However, its origins are far more complex and unexpected Ambergris is formed in the digestive tract of sperm whales. Fresh ambergris has a strong fecal odor and is much less valuable than aged specimens Despite its origins, ambergris, with its unique scent, fixative properties, and perceived ability to. The main constituent of ambergris is the alcohol ambrein, which upon exposure to light and air, oxidizes to form, among other odoriferous products, very valuable amber and floral lactones, aldehydes, and ketones.
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