Tubéreuse Impériale

History & Legends

In India, tuberose is known as Rajanigandha, meaning “Fragrance of the Night.” A nuptial and ritual flower, it accompanies weddings, offerings and religious celebrations. Offered to deities, it has for centuries been associated with beauty and sensuality, its nocturnal blooming giving rise to beliefs and legends. Native to Mexico, tuberose crossed the oceans in the 16th century along the routes of Spanish conquest. Introduced first to Europe and later to Asia, it found in India a land of choice, where climatic conditions and agricultural expertise allow its fragrance to reach its fullest expression. There, the flower is cultivated and used far beyond perfumery, deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual practices.
In Europe, tuberose soon captivated royal courts. Under the reign of Louis XIV, its scent perfumed the corridors of Versailles and the gardens of the Trianon. Fascinating and magnetic, the flower was once said to be so intoxicating that young women were forbidden to walk through tuberose fields at night.
Long before that, the Aztecs scented their chocolate with its essential oil, an early testament to the plant’s precious and sensual aura across civilizations.

Terroir & Hand Harvesting

A demanding plant, tuberose requires well-structured soil, generous sunlight and constant mild temperatures. It grows in long spikes adorned with fleshy white flowers, whose gradual blooming from base to tip calls for daily care.
Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand: only the four open flowers at the base of the spike are picked, at the precise moment when their fragrance reaches its peak. This delicate harvest takes place each day, just before nightfall or at dawn, once the morning dew has lifted.
Today, India stands as the emblematic terroir of tuberose. Its unique natural conditions, combined with ancestral know-how, give the flower an exceptional olfactory signature.


A Rare Extract & An Exceptional Perfumery Material

To reveal its scent, the petals are extracted using solvents and then refined through an alcoholic treatment. This process yields Tuberose Absolute, an extract prized for its concentration and olfactory richness. Tuberose stands out for its balance between clarity and depth. Its white floral profile blends green, honeyed or milky nuances depending on the extraction. Within the perfumer’s palette, it brings light, volume or softness, while lending structure to the composition.