Re: Re: OT-CHAT: Iris fragrance

From: hipsource@aol.com

In a message dated 2/26/00 2:22:58 PM Eastern Standard Time, hagg@alaska.net 
writes:

<<  I had doubts about whether the fragrance, or the fixative qualities of the
 iris  were being referred to in the Tiffany brochure. At first I assumed 
orris
 root was being used, but the leaflet seems to hint at its use as a fragrance
 component, so I thought someone on the list might have this aspect of the 
iris scoped out pretty well.>>

Truth be told, many of the components of modern fragrances are 
synthetic---not that there is anything wrong with that-- so they could be 
talking about most anything.  
 
 << A nice thing to have in the archives.....I assume setosa has been tried 
in this manner without success, but  I'll probably be trying it anyway. It's 
sounds quite interesting to try.>>

I've never heard of any of the beardless irises being used for orris. Don't 
know if they would behave the same way or not. Sure would have to have a mess 
of the little rhizomes to mess with, and peeling them would present some 
unique challenges. (Here I'm visualizing some of those serving plates of 
hundrerds of tiny fried whole fishes, minnows really, that one eats in Nice 
or Mallorca.) I do know that albicans, florentina, and pallida have been 
traditionally employed for orris, and some of the beardless things for 
physick uses, emetics or whatever.  
  
 << Sounds like a really nice note..... perhaps its usage mellows all of the 
strong florals in this perfume. I suppose I assumed there was a certain 
fragrance that  spelled 'Iris', as there is in the rose, but it doesn't seem 
to be the case.>>

Not that I am aware of. But I'm not necessarily the last word on the subject. 

<< Someone mailed me off-list and said she'd read (she's trying to recall
 the  source) that a specific iris is being grown somewhere (France?) for its
 fragrance usage in perfume.>>

Sounds fascinating. Please encourge that person to kindly share the 
information when they recall the reference. 

 << Now we're on to something here - L'Heure Bleu used to be a favorite when
 I was younger, but it was difficult to find. I had no idea iris figured into
 its makeup.>>

Remember, now,  I am working from 25 year old memories here, and they may not 
be accurate. It may or may not be full of iris, but it is interesting that 
that popped up.  

<< I've had the same experience with orris root at the local herb store, but 
I just figured it was because I lived in an area where traditionally 
old,outdated  goods were a somewhat common thing.>>

No, I think it is because they don't keep the roots sealed up airtight and 
probably the quality wasn't what it could have been to begin with. Probably 
more fragrant when you grind them up, but I'm not risking the motor in the 
Cuisinart to find out. Clarence says it is like grinding rocks. 

Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com


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