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 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 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, often referred to as floating gold, is one of the rarest and most fascinating substances used in perfumery and incense making Known in chinese as 龙涎香 (lóngxiánxiāng), or sometimes as dragon's belly scent, this elusive material has captivated civilizations for centuries.
It’s formed from the indigestible parts of the whale’s diet, primarily the beaks of cuttlefish and squid. 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. 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.
OPEN
