Chapter 1
Ancient origins and sacred smoke
Chapter 2
The science of scent in the Golden Age
Chapter 3
European courtly stench and the rise of Grasse
Chapter 4
The modern synthetic revolution
YOUR GOAL
Master of Sniffing out the history of perfume
Ch 2 · The science of scent in the Golden Age
elorea Islamic Golden Age Perfume Science
Steam the roses, catch the glow! (Catch the glow!) That’s how pure rosewaters flow! (Oh, they flow!)
Fun Fact
Rosewater currency: In the 10th century, the province of Fars in Persia paid an annual tribute of 30,000 bottles of rosewater to the Caliph of Baghdad.
Glossary
distillation (noun)
The process of purifying a liquid by heating it to a vapor and condensing it into liquid form. In tenth-century Persia, Ibn Sina perfected this technique to extract the first pure rose essential oil.
The process of purifying a liquid by heating it to a vapor and condensing it into liquid form. In tenth-century Persia, Ibn Sina perfected this technique to extract the first pure rose essential oil.
Quiz
Which Persian physician invented steam distillation using a cooled coil condenser around 1000 CE?
Quiz
What was the primary base liquid used for perfumes in the Islamic Golden Age before alcohol distillation became common?
Quiz
From which animal is the highly prized, earthy perfume fixative known as musk originally obtained?
Quiz
Which city was the bustling center of the medieval global spice and perfume trade in Egypt?