Extraction is used to first obtain the osmanthus concentrate from the flowers of the shrub, which is then used to produce the absolute. This solid, green-yellow to brownish mass exudes a floral yet strongly culinary scent reminiscent of raisins and dried plums.
The yield of around one kilogram of osmanthus absolute from 3,000 kilograms of flowers is extremely low, which is why the very time-consuming and costly enfleurage method is used.
The price of osmanthus essence is correspondingly high. Half of it is used in China to flavour teas or tobacco, while the other half is used by perfumers. It takes 20 kg of osmanthus flowers to produce 250 ml of perfume.