CaFleureBon:Tuberose in Perfumery + Dangerous Pleasure (10 Fragrant Prizes) Draw

 

In the language of flowers Tuberose   (Polianthes tuberosa)   is the queen of forbidden pleasure. T  he  perfume of the tuberose flower is intense, sweetly floral, and heady and it can fill a small garden with its scent.  Tuberose is also changeable, it can be langorous, sweet, and rich in the early evening and it blooms through the night to attract the moths that pollinate it.  In the morning when the flowers are often harvested for their scent the aroma is fresh, fragrant, green, and highly floral. The bulb of tuberose can't be planted in the same ground years after years because the plant takes out all the minerals from it. It's a very demanding flower and its history is very complex. 

The scent of tuberose is said to lend emotional strength and center the mind along with bringing serenity and peace; it may be used to assist in relaxation.   During the Renaissance, young ladies were forbidden to walk through the gardens at night because the alluring scent of tuberose was an intense aphrodisiac. It is said that women would put fresh tuberose under their skirts to attract men. In France, unmarried girls are warned to not inhale the scent after dark. The Victorians ascribed tuberose with voluptuous and sensual characteristics; conversely, tuberose was also recognized as a funeral flower by the Victorians and speaks of death to some.

Dangerous Pleasure by Belinda Durrant

It may also be considered a narcotic and potential aphrodisiac. In Ayurvedic medicine tuberoses are valued for their exquisite fragrance but also their healing properties and ability to improve a person’s capacity for emotional depth. It is also thought to improve psychic powers.  A flower of contrasts, it can be relaxing and peaceful or aphrodisiac and dangerously sensual, green and fresh or floral and heady, associated with death yet blooming fresh and pure each spring; even the name in Aztec, bone flower, is a contradiction.

 

Painting: Frieda Kahlo

Known as the bone flower or “Omixochitl” to the ancient Mexicans where it originated, tuberose was cultivated by the Aztecs about 600 years ago where it was valued for its scent and may have been added to chocolate drinks.  It is not found growing wild in Mexico now but there are related species, most of which are white, but there are types with red blooms and red-striped flowers. From Mexico it spread quickly to Europe. For a long time, the center of cultivation of tuberose flowers was the valley of the Siagne River near Cannes and Grasse in France but cultivation has moved to Morocco in recent years. Single-flowered plants tend to be used for scent extraction while double-flowered ones can be used for the cut-flower trade. The blooms are often given to express passion and may be given as a bouquet or a single, perfect cut stem.

Tuberose is one of the white flowers of perfumery, a group of flowers that often release their scent at night for pollination by moths. These flowers are sweetly floral and yet with a good touch of indolic musky-ness, they are addictive and lovely. Moths, with their large, sensitive antennae seem to respond to these particular odor types from long distances, flying through the night to find a glowing white flower.  Not surprisingly, tuberose is one of the most powerful and sweet floral odors used in perfumery. It pairs beautifully with jasmine and orange blossom and can add depth, complexity and a dark richness.

 

The scent is obtained from the flowers by solvent extraction and by enfleurage, the flowers are too delicate for distillation. The flowers can be used in enfleurage because they continue to release their aromatic chemicals into the air after being picked. Enfleurage is the process of exposing the flowers to a solid fat, such as palm oil, and allowing the fragrant molecules to move from the flowers into the fat.  The fat, called a pommade, is then extracted with alcohol which is evaporated to produce an absolute.  An absolute is also produced from solvent extraction.  The solvent extraction produces a concrete, which is a solid waxy product with a true tuberose odor.  Extracting the concrete with alcohol produces the absolute.   The yield from enfleurage may be as much as ten to fifteen times as high as from solvent extraction. The absolute is generally dark orange and thick with a heavy honey-like, highly floral scent and in its pure form it can be nauseatingly sweet and heavy.  Some versions of the absolute may have a delicate spicy odor.

 

Hawkmoth photo: Timothy Stirling

Like moths, we are invariably drawn to the floral mystery of tuberose and want to get close, and then seductively closer.

Elise Pearlstine, Contributor

 

Tuberose: Imogene Cunningham

For our draw we have ten perfumed prizes where tuberose is central to the composition. Since none are soliflores and range from all white flower compositions to those infused with cocoa, wormwood and citrus, be sure to click on the links provided. If you think you can't "do"  tuberose, you will be surprised at your options.

50 ml  oz EDP of the most famous tuberose perfume in the world- Fracas de Robert Piguet Courtesy of Robert Piguet http://www.robertpiguetparfums.com/

30 ml of  Nasomatto Narcotic Venus, the "mankiller"  Tuberose" by Allesandro Gualtieri: Courtesy of Stanwells http://www.stanwells.com/fragrance-body/nasomatto-narcotic-venus-30ml

50 ml of  Honoré des Prés Vamp a New York, the 100% eco cert organic eco-chic tuberose created by Olivia Giacobetti, from Grasse, (now available at Ron Robinson Apothia) http://www.ronrobinson.com/APOTHIA-Honore-des-Pres-Vamp-a-NY-Eau-de-Parfum-p/100200.htm

From Natural Perfumer Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics,  5ml EDP Spray of Nectar of Love. The tuberose used is the highest, natural grade from India and France, Tanja is offering a  5ml spray EdP http://aprilaromatics.com/store/index.php/start-produkte/nectar-of-love-alk.html

From Anya McCoy of Anya's Garden 3.5 oz  of the award winning  Starflower http://www.anyasgarden.com/perfumes.htm

 

 From Natural Perfumer JoAnne Bassett – Chantelle eau de Parfum– 5 ml travel spray http://joannebassett.com/natural_perfumes/collection/french-collection/

 

 From Natural Perfumer Christi Meshell, House of Matriarch Forbidden with tuberose and wormwood,  a "unisex tuberose", 3 ml travel size http://www.matriarch.biz/forbidden.html

 From  Natural Perfumer Elise Pearlstine of Belly Flowers  – Sun & Flowers 10 ml EdT sprayer http://www.bellyflowers.com/perfume_citrus.php

From Natural Perfumer Charna Ethier of Providence Perfumes Co.  – 6 ml travel atomizer of unisex Cocoa Tuberose with dark cocoa " a blogger favorite" http://www.providenceperfume.com/collections/eau-de-parfums/products/cocoa-tuberose

 From  Natural Perfumer Eleanor Jane  Of Tallulah Jane NYC  – their signature scent Tallulah in an 8 ml size. https://tallulahjanenyc.com/Eau_De_Parfum-Tallulah.html

To be eligible, please leave a comment about what you learned about Tuberose in Perfumery and you can name the fragrance you would like to win. All draws are random, but it doesn't hurt! Draw ends March 19, 2012

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume.

  

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115 comments

  • Lael DasGupta says:

    I live that tuberose was known as ‘the bone flower’ to some cultures! So awesome, and one if my favorite scents.
    I’d love the Fracas or Starflower. Any would be lovely, of course!
    Thank you for the draw!

  • Michelle Hunt says:

    Tuberose absolute is one of my favorite natural materials, it is so creamy and warm and luscious. I was interested to learn of tuberose’s Ayurvedic properties for increasing emotional depth.

    I would just love the chance to win Vamp a New York, Olivia Giaccobetti is one of my favorite perfumers and to experience her tuberose perfume would be a pleasure!

  • d3m0lici0n says:

    Tuberose is an amazing smell and I knew some of the facts but all the facts mentioned here are fascinating my favorite being young women not allowed to walk by them at night!!! Crazy!!! Also interesting that is considered a narcotic and aphrodisiac, so many things about this flower. Thanks for this amazing draw.

  • This is my floral:) I adore Tuberose:) Fracas, is a scent that has stood the test of time. Many generations of gorgeous and powerful women have worn it. I’ve read it’s a favorite of Maddonna;)
    Cafleurebon, you have done it again with a most spectacular draw..
    I’d love to walk through a garden of tuberose at night. Or stash some of the flowers under my skirt:)
    Please enter me in the draw. I’d love Fracas because I know I adore it. All of the scents sound delish but the other hand Nassomotto Narcotic Venus sounds beyond words when it’s referred to as the man killer tuberose:) that’s intense! Wonderful photos and excellent history of my favorite floral scent:) thanks cafleurebon:)

  • Very interesting and informative post. I especially appreciated the explanation of how enfleurage works.
    I won’t name my favorite of the fragrances available in the drawing since I suspect that I’m not eligible to win as I was the lucky winner of one of the recent drawings.

  • Tuberose is a fav of mine as well as is Madonna. I see Felicia got to the part where she stuffs some flowers under her skirt, good girl I thought to myself, you’ll be the pick of the bunch. Where is that garden?
    I do love the creaminess of Tuberose and the way it blends with other white florals. I love the Indian. Its languid and sensuous and therefore I’m intrigued by Honoré des Prés’ Vamp a New York.

  • Chocoloate drinks with rose? Sounds like something I’d love. Does any of these smells like Rose 31? 😀

  • I didn;t know that tuberose is believed to promote psychic powers. How interesting. I’d love to try Narcotic Venus…what a fab name. Thanks for the draw.

  • I loooove tuberoses. But very hard to grow them in the garden. So I have lots of tuberose based fragrances. I would die and come back to life I won Narcotic Venus. Love it!

    I had no idea the tuberoses are originated in Mexico. Also adding tuberoses to chocolate drinks? I must try that.

    Thank you for a great article and this wonderful draw.

  • My wife and I love tuberose! I have long wanted to get some flowers just to perfume the house. She wore Tubereuse Criminelle today, and Nuit de Tubereuse is another favorite. ‘d love to win any of the ones you listed, except maybe for Fracas, which we already have.

  • I think tuberose is my favorite floral . I was surprised to find that it is a member of the lily family. I already own the Vamp New York tuberose, but I would love to try the others. In particular the Fracas, narcotic Venus, and Nectar of Love are speaking to me. Thanks for another wonderful draw.

  • I did not know that tuberose came from Mexico or put such a demand on the soil. I f I won the draw, I would like the Narcotic Venus or the Starflower, but I would happy with any of them.
    Thanks for the article and for the draw.

  • Scentual healing says:

    I learned a lot . For example I did not know that the time of day effected the aroma Or that tuberose was used in aruvedic medicine
    They all sound great but I would choose vamp a new York or starflower
    Thank you

  • I love the smell of tuberose but she hates me. I didn’t know that tuberose could have a spicy facet or be used in a gourmand way; for that reason, I’d choose Starflower.

  • Wow, what a cool write up, well i learned but already knew that the Tuberose is not a rose as some may think by the name, but a species of lily. I have to be very careful with Tuberose fragrances, but will say that i would love to win the Nasomatto or the Vamp as i know those both work on my skin. The Nectar of love is another beauty. Thank you so much for the wonderful draw,

  • Tami Holubar says:

    I learned that Tuberose may be considered a narcotic…..Would love to win Fracas, thanks for the draw!

  • This was a really great article — I learned a lot! I’ve heard the name and smelled the fragrance, of course, but I didn’t at all know that it is in the family of lilies. I would love to win Nasomatto Narcotic Venus – I could use a mankiller! Thanks for the generous draw.

  • Although I knew it was not a rose, I never knew that tuberose is a species of lily. That probably explains why I love tuberose — lily is my fave flower. Would love to win the classic Fracas or the Nasomatto with the damn cute bottle. Fingers crossed!

  • I have some of Matriarch’s Forbidden, it is a wonderful perfume. I reviewed it awhile back, it’s probably one of the best tuberose laden perfumes that I have smelled in awhile.

  • I did know Tuberose wasn’t a “rose” but I was unaware that it’s actually from the lily family. 🙂 Thank you so much for the very generous draw!

  • I didn’t know that the tuberose takes in minerals from the soil that affect its scent…it makes perfect sense, though, like wine grapes and terroir…thanks for this wonderful drawing. Would love to try vamp a new york, or Charna’s Cocoa Tuberose…

  • I didn’t know that tuberose was a funeral flower. I found some scent to wear for my dear old cat, who just passed away this morning.

    I’d be most interested in Honore des Pres – Vamp a NY Eau de Parfum.

  • It was interesting to read how tuberose was such a forbidden scent during the days of old, and how women got around it by hiding tuberose under their skirts! lol

    Nasomatto Narcotic Venus and Honore des Pres, Vamp a NY are the most interesting to me, but they all smell gorgeous!

  • Wow, what a generous draw. I’d always imagined Tuberose to be of the tropics. Not so much Mexico and subsequently France and Morocco. And that it is quite a squeeze on soil nutrients.

    I’d love to win Honoré des Prés Vamp a New York. Anything by Olivia G.!
    Thanks again…

  • I always knew tuberose was not a rose, but never knew it was a kind of lily. I love wearing fresh tuberose blossoms as a lei when I am in the islands or having an island celebration.

    I would love Narcotic Venus.

  • It’s nice to be among other tuberose fans. A very informative post. I now know not to plant my bulbs in the same spot as last year. I also didn’t know it was a kind of lily.

  • What a great article! I really did not know that in the time of Renaissance, ladies were not allowed to walk through gardens at night for they would lose thier minds haha.

    I would be very happy to win any, but especially Fracas or Narcotic Venus.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  • I would like Narcotic Venus. Tuberose is my favorite perfume note, it’s the queen of the flower queens. I own a collection of maybe all existing tuberose scent samples/ bottles/ decants and still looking for new ones. Best one IMHO but also very challenging – SL Tubereuse Criminelle. Thanks for this drawing opportunity.

  • Tuberose is one of my favorite white flowers in perfumery. I didnt know women would put those flowers under their skirts! 🙂

    I’d love to win Narcotic Venus, Vamp a NY or Starflower, but any of these would be a delight to own! Thanks for the draw.

  • I was not expecting to read that tuberose also exists in other colours than white. Wow! Mother nature is really surprising!
    I would like Nectar of Love or Fracas. Thanks!

  • I grew up in a household where Mom often oversprayed Fracas and Giorgio. It took 30 years for me to realize that the flower is gorgeous. I had no idea there were funereal associations. Cocoa Tuberose, Narcotic Venus, and Starflower sound amazing. What an amazing draw.

  • I am really intrigued to know that tuberose comes from Mexico. I was expecting India for its oriental smell. I would like to win Fracas or Narcotic Venus. Thanks for the giveaway.

  • Yeah, the whole story about unmarried girls being forbidden to smell tuberose after dark speaks volumes about the effect it may have. Wow.
    I would love to sniff out Fracas, Narcotic Venus or Forbidden!

  • Tuberose was one of the first materials I’ve worked with. The are very challanging but oh so fascinating. I had no idea about the effect they have on the soil, and the part about the young women not being allowed to walk through tuberose gardens really amused me. I have no particular preference, although I’ve always had my eye on Cocoa Tuberose. Thank you for the opportunity.

  • I did not know it’s called “bone flower”, which is a surprisingly appealing name to me. I also did not know about the various forms of extraction and how they work.

    I would love to try Fracas, been wanting to for a long time now.

  • I had no idea it originated in Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs who mayby even added it to their chocolate drinks!! Lovely article!! Any perfume I might win with tuberose is welcome, all are great!!!

  • I love tuberose and have tried to make a perfume from it. For me the tuberose reminds me of a first kiss. There is something about it that feels like the fresh sweet breath of a teen-age girl. Whenever I smell tuberose it always takes me back to high-school and some of the very first kisses that I ever experienced, including the anticipation, the excitement and all that teen passion. I like tuberose as an almost pure solifleur with only a bit of something like peru balsam to pull it along and give some base–but not too much.

  • Thanks for refreshing my memory as to how painful it is to produce a tuberose absolute and to read about the process of the enfleurage, which in turn reminded of Süskind’s Perfume.
    Forbidden has me intrigued and I’d like to pour that forbidden nectar all over me… 🙂

  • I learnt that Tuberose is a species of Lily – had no idea, but now that I think about it, it does make sense. I’d love to win Fracas or Cocoa Tuberose 🙂

  • I love my Tuberose, grow dozens every year in a greenhouse specially built for it. They are starting now. I tincture with 95% neutral grape spirit to bring out that fruity floral odor and let the students use it in my classes.

  • What an amazing article. Thanks for the information. It was a pleasure to know about such a lovely and mysterious plant. No wonder why women in earlier ages were so fond of it… What can be more likely to a woman than to be exotic, seductive, erotic, mysterious, adored, fascinated, just to mention few. All the women want to be like this – the mystery, the secret, the dream. For sure, women want to be loved by man – our husbands, partners, boyfriends.

    I am one of them, of course. I would be delighted to try Starflower or Vamp a NY. Thanks for this amazing give away.

    Let me quote “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”:
    “Mind you, the Egyptians believed that one can only create a truly original perfume by adding an extra note, one final essence that will ring out and dominate the others. Legend had it that an amphora was once found in a pharaoh’s tomb, and when it was opened, a perfume was released, after all those thousands of years, a perfume of such subtle beauty, and yet such power, that for one single moment every person on earth believed they were in paradise. 12 essences could be identified, but the 13th, the vital one, could never be determined. ”

    Maybe the 13th is the tuberose…

  • What a beautiful flower. The way Tuberose scent was perceived in the old days, when ladies could not walk at night due to its “aphrodisiac” power, was very interesting.

    I would love to win Fracas, Nasomatto or Honoré des Prés.

    Thank you!

  • Narcotic Venus. The tuberose is such a sensual looking flower. Would love to try any of the fragrances, though.

  • I had no idea it was so difficult to cultivate. It is a wonder this plant exists without the help of man. Guess that’s why the absolute is so pricey. I would love to try Vamp a NY.

  • What I learned? : that I’m a tuberose guy!I particularly like Vamp in hot summer days and my all time favourite is Tubéreuse criminelle of course. But I would be happy to win Nasomatto or Starflower.

  • Strangeways says:

    Great article! I learned a lot. For instance, i didn’t know that in France, unmarried girls were warned to not inhale the scent of tuberose after dark. I would love to try Fracas, Narcotic Venus or Vamp à New York.

  • I didn’t know that “the bulb of tuberose can’t be planted in the same ground years after years because the plant takes out all the minerals from it.” Demanding it is! Thanks for the draw! I’d especially like to win Fracas or Vamp à NY!

  • What a wonderful article about my favourite flower! I secretly knew that tuberose had healing properties and that it had the “ability to improve a person’s capacity for emotional depth” is spot on. I enjoyed this article as each sentence was confirming every reason why I adore tuberose.
    Thank you for the draw. I would love to try Anya Mccoys Starflower or Chantelle by JoAnne Bassett..

  • What I’ve learnt about Tuberose is that it was (and is) considered to be such a potent aphrodisiac. I would like to win Narcotic Venus, but all sound interesting.

  • I never knew that tuberose was from Central America and may have been added to chocolate drinks! It always seemed to me so “european” ))
    I’d choose Forbidden by House of Matriarch

  • TimeaZsofia says:

    I have learnt, that the bulb of tuberose can’t be planted in the same ground years after years because the plant takes out all the minerals from it. That’s very important for me, as I would like to plant in my garden at least one or two tuberose plant in this year.
    I would choose “Cocoa Tuberose”, becasue it sounds very-very interesting!
    Thank you for the draw!

  • Paul Matem. says:

    I did not know that the name, in Aztec, was bone flower. I could imagine that it is a flower of contrasts, but with the name it is a different story. A great article! Thanks for it and for the giveaway too!
    I choose Narcotic Venus or Fracas, but they all seem very good.

  • I learned that the plants take the mineral out of the soil, and I also learned what the tuberose looks like. What a beautiful flower! I’ve read so much about the tuberose, but never looked for a picture. I would love to win Fracas de Robert Piguet, but all look interesting.

  • very interesting fact: “During the Renaissance, young ladies were forbidden to walk through the gardens at night because the alluring scent of tuberose was an intense aphrodisiac. It is said that women would put fresh tuberose under their skirts to attract men”. I would choose Nasomatto Narcotic Venus.

  • What a great post! The most interesting thing I learned was “can’t be planted in the same ground years after years because the plant takes out all the minerals from it.” I would love to win the Vamp a NY.

  • Great images for a beautiful flower. I never new tuberose was in the lily family., and I never knew it was from Central America. I would like to try Fracas, but they all sound wonderful.

  • I didn’t imagine that tuberose would suck dry the minerals from the soil where it’s planted… such a real vampire!! 😉

    So I have to choose Vamp a NY!! 🙂

  • I had no idea that tuberose was edible. I imagine the taste of tuberose and cocoa would be divine. I don’t own any perfumes with tuberose and would be interested in trying any one of the above.

  • Given that sex is sometimes called ‘the little death’, perhaps it is fitting that ‘tuberose was also recognized as a funeral flower by the Victorians and speaks of death’, I didn’t know it was called bone flower or that it has a red flowered form. I’m inclined toward Vamp a New York.

  • I work in a flower shop, so I always like to learn more about the flowers we sell. Thank you for the excellent blog post!

  • Thanks for a great article. I love the tuberose flower, it is definitely one of my favourites scents and I’m currently working on a “white flowers” perfume with a fair bit of tuberose in it!

    Marina~

  • I had no idea that tuberose was in the lily family. I would have guessed that it was a sister to gardenia.

    Vamp a NY is my FAVE tuberose! It smells so good! I would also love to win Narcotic Venus or Fracas, of course. 🙂 Though they all sound fantastic.

    Thanks for a tuberose draw!!!

  • I found it fascinating that tuberose isn’t found growing wild, only cultivated. Miss Olivia’s Vamp a New York would please me to own since I only have a tiny sample I’m hoarding.

  • Tuberose has always been one of my favorite. What an excellent article…thank you so much. i am most interested in the Cocoa Tuberose or Nectar of Love…or really anything that comes from the Natural Perfumers. Thank you so much for the draw.

  • Ruth Southland says:

    Tuberose is probably the one scent I am most drawn to in fragrances, having worn Ysatis for years and then branched out form there. These all sound so intoxicating – how to choose?! I would most love the Narcotic Venus or Vamp a NY (huge fan of Olivia Giacobetti), although the Starflower is intriguing as well. Lovely article, and it’s so true. Tuberose is a contradictory, ever-changing flower. That’s probably why it suits me so well. Thanks!

  • Had no idea that during the Renaissance, young ladies were forbidden to walk through gardens at night because of the scent of tuberose would be too arousing. Funny that women would then put tuberose in their skirts to attract men. Who are they really targeting with this aphrodisiac?

    I choose the Nasomatto Narcotic Venus.

  • tomatefarcie says:

    I didn’t know that the tuberose releases its scent at night!I would choose Vamp a New York.

  • I didn’t know that tuberose could be added to chocolate drinks. Maybe I’ll try that using fresh flowers if the squirrels can refrain from eating my tuberose bulbs this year. I would love to win the Cocoa Tuberose.

  • Fracas was the decadent scent I could wear and pull off when I was in my 20’s. I don’t feel quite a match now for it’s Fellini’s “8 1/2” bombshell starlet presence. Revisiting that wanton tuberose perfume in my mid 30’s, my ego & self esteem shrunk at it’s command to be physically worthy of wear. The voluptuous floral sweetness seemed to scoff at my creeping on of years. It now knew of the complete disappearance of long seductive black velvet dresses in my closet. I can only approach Fracas by timidly applying it in lotion form.
    Now that I compose with tuberose in natural perfumes it has been almost perversely enjoyable to challenging her out of the comfort zone. Seems decades since she’s come down from Hollywood hills mansion safely surrounded with her rich floral and vanilla friends. Some would become aghast to put her out of her element in company of riff raff notes. Amazingly she adapts with exotic spices, dirty leather or musk accords,cognac, curcuma/turmeric, basil, hay, wormwood, oakmoss, tarragon, tobacco and other rather brash notes. Most sound like a perfectly barfarriffic olfactory experience. I think people would be surprised that with an imaginative and steady hand, a huge mostly unexplored spectrum of notes in a judicious combination with tuberose are pretty heavenly.
    One of the most exciting & heart wrenching aspects of natural perfumery, is composing a wondrous unique creation, or via trying the wasting of many $$ in a mixing tragedy.

    After all this blabbing, I would love to be entered for “Nectar of Love”. “Highest grade natural tuberose..” I can’t resist!

  • it was very interesting to discover that tuberose flowers were first cultivated by aztecs and that they were using it to flavour their cocoa drinks.what an exciting pairing!it makes sense that tuberose comes from the hot grounds of central america.such a passionate, intoxicating, dangerous smell!
    thank you for the draw! i would love to win fracas, narcotic venus or vamp a new york!

  • I didn’t know that tuberose was cultivated by the Aztecs about 600 years ago, what a old flower! The whole article is very interesting.

    I would love to win…Cocoa Tuberose (interesting mix), Starflower McCoy is a very talented perfumer emho) or Nectar of Love (Highest grade tuberose!).

    Thanks for the draw.

  • I didn’t know tuberose was related to lily, but it makes sense because I love them both! (Both in perfume and just as flowers in a vase.) I’m wearing tuberose today (the original Carolina Herrera). I’d especially like the Fracas…

  • Whoa…forbidden to females in the past and may have been added to drinks? What a dangerous combo for such a heady, intoxicating fragrance…I had no idea why I absolutely love, love, love tuberose! And now I know why I feel the way I do when I smell it…becoming so emotionally strong with a centered mind and bringing me such serenity and peace…what a volatile “cocktail” and may also be narcotic and an aphrodisiac and increase my psychic powers? No wonder it was forbidden… what more do I need? I’ll take one of each! Sorry, I know I can only choose one so I would like to pick Vamp a NY. Many thanks!

  • Anna in Edinburgh says:

    I didn’t know that the Aztecs cultivated Tuberose and may have added it to their chocolate drinks, but now I’m positively smacking my lips at the thought of that combination:-)

    Accordingly, “Cocoa Tuberose” would be my vote from that gorgeous line up of tempting tuberose perfumes.

    The photo of the Hawkmoth by Timothy Stirling is hugely impressive too, by the way.

  • Tourbillion says:

    Oh Fracas! Or anything else really, these scents sound wonderful. I want to smell the forbidden Victorian flower! (I had no idea!)

  • From my own experience with Tuberose – I must say it is difficult, heady oil. It can make miracles in perfume but also it can make entire mess…

    I would love to win Nasomatto Narcotic Venus or Nectar of Love.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    Now I know why Victorian skirts were so huge – to have enough room `under there`for floral bouquets AND for the lover these blooms attracted!! I would like to win Vamp, Nectar of Love, or Narcotic Venus; I HAVE Fracas and Providence`s Cocoa Tuberose – so please leave me out on those drawings 🙂

  • I was very surprised to learn that the Aztecs may have added tuberose to cocoa drinks. It seems actually like a very good idea!
    I’d love to win the delicious Narcotic Venus…

  • excellent article elise!

    i had no idea women were forbidden from the nocturnal emissions of this beautiful flower!! so victorian. *laugh*

    ahhhh, frida kahlo. place her art anywhere and i am sucked in.

    how can i not be entrnced by the idea of a gem from Joanne Bassett, Bellyflowers, Matriarch or Anya’s Garden?!!

    i have enjoyed Providence Perfume Co’s CocoaTuberose a couple times now… and thus far has resisted drinking it. *wink*

    thank you for the wonderful article and draw

  • I’m not a fan of dominant tuberose, but I would love to try some of the fragrances in this post that I haven’t had a chance to sniff.
    I do like Vamp a NY, and would be thrilled to win a bottle in a draw.

  • taffynfontana says:

    Wow! did not know Tuberose originated in Mexico and has all those healing properties. I just thought it was a lovely smelling flower. I would love to try StarFlower by Anya’s Garden iy sounds like a magnificent gourmand. Thanks again.

  • Such an interesting article. Beautiful pictures too. I learned that this group of flowers release their scent at night for pollination by moths. Amazing! I would love to win Nasomatto Narcotic Venus. I smelled it once and it is beautiful. Thanks for a sweet smelling draw in preparation for spring.

  • I’ve always loved tuberose scent and have always noticed it bring me a relaxing and peaceful feeling. I find it interesting to learn that it known to and meant to have these effects.

  • I’ve been exploring tuberose a lot lately, having tested many niche offerings with this particular note. My favourite so far is L’Artisan Nuit de Tubereuse.
    I had no idea until I read this article, that tuberose was considered a natural aphrodisiac with many healing properties. I find that somewhat interesting.
    If I had the luck, I would love to win the 30ml of Nasomatto Narcotic Venus.

  • I learned that the Tuberose is one of the white flowers of perfumery, a group of flowers that often release their scent at night for pollination by moths.
    I ‘d like to try Vamp a New York or Nasomatto Narcotic Venus

  • I learnt that moths love the scent of the tuberose and are attracted to the flowers in the night. I had no idea!

    I’d like to win Nectar of love from April Aromatics. Thank you very much!

  • I love the name “bone flower”… I would very much like to try “Nectar of Love” , Vamp a New York or Forbidden.

  • I also learnt that tuberose releases it’s scent at night. Not suprising as it’s named natthaycint (hyasinth of the night) in Swedish.

    I I win I’d love either one of Fracas, NasomattoNarcotic Venus of Cocoa TUberose from Providence Perfumes. Thanks for this draw!

  • I had no idea that tuberose smells different in the morning than it does at night. It’s not an easy decision, as I’ve just started exploring tuberose as a note, but Starflower is interesting me most.

  • I learned many thing from this great article (Thanks Elise!):

    tuberose was “off limits” after dark to young proper ladies! *giggles*
    it originated in Mexico
    and it was used in CHOCOLATE drinks???! :O

    If I had my choice (hmmmm, this is HARD) I think I would go with Narcotic Venus or Vamp a New York (I am a sucker for anything with “vamp” in the title! 🙂

    Thanks for the chance to win SOOO much perfume!

  • Wow, what a wonderfully informative article! I had no idea about many of the things noted but most interesting is that Tuberose is also known as the “funeral flower”. I also did not know that it was used in chocolate drinks. I am extremely intrigued by the combination so I would choose Cocoa Tuberose.

    Thanks SO much for the chance to win!! :))))

  • I planted three bulbs of single flowered tuberose and am waiting impatiently for them to come up. I heard that they flower better if they are dug up and replanted each year even though they are perennial here. Now I know it is because they are such heavy feeders of minerals. I’m intrigued with the notion of adding tuberose to chocolate drinks and would love to try the combination in Providence Perfume’s Cocoa Tuberose.

  • I learned that tuberose is said to lend emotional support and center the mind. What a beautiful thing! I would love to have any of them but in particular Fracas de Robert Piguet, Nasomatto Narcotic Venus, Honoré des Prés Vamp a New York, Nectar of Love or Chantelle. They all sound divine and I can’t pick just one! Thank you for the drawing.

  • I learned from this article that tuberose has aphrodisiac qualities attributed to it, as well as having healing properties. I can personally attest to its powers of relaxation, as I feel peaceful and uplifted when wearing a tuberose-centered fragrance. I would love to win any of these, and Nasomatto Narcotic Venus caught my attention in particular. Thanks for the draw!

  • I learned that Tuberose flowers are too delicate for distillation & I’d love to win any of the perfumes. 🙂

  • Lael DasGupta says:

    I live tuberose and learned quite a bit about how scent is obtained from the flowers. I’d love to try my hand!
    I’d love Fracas, Starflower – or any!
    Thank you for the wonderful article!

  • I did not realize that Tuberose is too delicate for normal distillation and the fragrance from the flower had to be obtained by solvent extraction and by enfleurage. I also learned the process of enfleurage!
    I would choose Nasomatto Narcotic Venus.

  • I learned that Tuberose is a very sexy scent… :))
    And i’d love Fracas, the ultimate tuberose fragrance!
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I did not know it is called bone flower. I love tuberose..and have seen it growing in fields in India.

    I would love to try Nectar of Love as I have not tried any of Tanja’s fragrances…

    They all sound great..

  • I learned that I must be part MOTH as I can detect it from a long range. I also learned that it needs to be replanted each year! Thank You Elise. Would Love to try Nectar of Love as well.

  • angie funk says:

    I learned that moths are drawn to tuberose. You have a wonderful selection of natural perfumers in this draw. I am a natural perfume wearer and would love to try a new scent Tallulah, Sun & Flowers, Chantelle, Forbidden, or Vamp a New York. I have smelled Nectar of Love and star flower, both of these are lovely tuberose perfumes.

  • Thanks for the great review and the info!It revealed new facts for me about this mysterious flower and it’s magical scent.I didn’t know tuberose was used in choclate dinks and it’s called bone flower.I would pick Narcotic Venus,I love Nasomatto fragrances.

  • Like the moths I’m tmepetd by the magical aroma of this mysterious flower the queen of the night and frobiden pleasures.This review brings facts I didn’t know it’s called bone flower I also learned more details about the extraction process.I would go for Narcotic Venus.

  • Most excellent article! Maybe becasue my mother was French/ Mexican I have always gravated to and loved tuberose. Tuberose in chocolate is new to me though.
    Anya does it best! Starflower!!!

  • Wonderful article Elise!

    I am kind of shocked to learn that tuberose depletes the soil so thuroughly. It seems so counter-intuitive. Being a bulb plant, its not like you can pick yourself up and walk to a new spot to grow next year! Although I had some paperwhites that tried to do just that this winter. Now I am going to have to go hunt for information on their natural forms of propogation. Or maybe that is why they are mostly cultivated now as opposed to naturalized in Mexico.

    All of the scents offered in the draw look lovely, but I would really be interested in trying Vamp a NY, Nectar of Love, or Forbidden!

  • I learned that it was called the bone flower and that it may have been added to chocolate drinks pretty cool stuff. This drawing is incredible they all sound so enticing especially Fracas.

  • That it may be used for relaxation. I’ve always thought of it as very steamy. I’d love Narcotic Venus.

  • Paul Bunch says:

    Like many others, I learned that tuberose is a lily. I am most interested in the natural perfumes, but would like to try any of them. I guess the Cocoa Tuberose combines the best of everything, chocolate and white flowers.

  • I learned that it is a flower of contrasts, being associated with peace and relaxation but also with death and sensuality. It’s history and the way tuberose was perceived during centuries are very captivating

  • Shirley Ellison says:

    Tuberose is seductive and heady. Used in many perfumes and the flowers are used in weddings & funerals,
    Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to win Cocoa Tuberose!

  • Shirley Ellison says:

    Tuberose is seductive and heady. Used in many perfumes and the flowers are used in weddings & funerals,
    Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to win Cocoa Tuberose!