The delicate nature of many flowers means that steam distillation can not be used to extract the fragrant oil because the intense heat destroys the flowers, causing them to become compacted into a solid mass that steam is unable to penetrate. If the steam is unable to move freely through the flowers during distillation it is impossible to extract the oil.
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From the Oleaceae family, Jasminum sambac is a slender, erect or climbing evergreen bush that is capable of growing from 1 to 3 metres in height, and is more shrubby and woody than J. grandiflorum. Its sturdy branchlets are encompassed by elliptic or obovate, dark green compound leaves and adorned with tubular, star-shaped white to pale yellow flowers that are thicker and more waxy than J. grandiflorum. They grow either as an individual blossom or in clusters at the tips of branches. Read more…