Jasmine

Jasmine is the most-used floral in perfumery after rose, and the defining heart of the white-floral family. Two varieties dominate: Jasminum grandiflorum (grown in Grasse and Egypt, softer and sweeter) and Jasminum sambac (grown in India, greener and more indolic). The flowers must be picked before sunrise and processed immediately — it takes roughly 7 million blossoms to produce 1 kg of absolute. Jasmine's signature is its indole: an animalic, slightly fecal molecule that gives the flower its sensual, fleshy depth.