What does the word "cucumber" mean?
The etymology of the word "cucumber" goes back to the Latin "cucumis", which already designated this vegetable. The term "cucumber" was borrowed from Latin by Romance languages such as French, Spanish and Italian, with slight variations in pronunciation. The word "cucumber" evolved from "cucumis" to designate this crunchy, refreshing vegetable widely grown in many cultures around the world.
In the beginning…
The history of the cucumber goes back more than 3,000 years. Native to the Indian and Nepalese regions, it was first cultivated in the Himalayan heights. From there, it spread to various parts of the world, including ancient Egypt and Greece. The ancient Egyptians already knew and cultivated cucumbers around 4,000 years ago, and they are even mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Greeks and Romans also praised it for its refreshing properties and skin benefits.
In the Middle Ages, the cucumber was introduced to Europe by Charlemagne, who had it grown in his gardens. It then spread across the continent.
Cucumbers were also introduced to America by European settlers in the 16th century, and became a popular vegetable at home in many culinary cultures around the world.
Today, cucumbers are widely cultivated and appreciated for their freshness, sweet, crunchy taste and health benefits. It is used in many dishes and salads at home, but has also become a common ingredient in the cosmetics and perfume industries, due to its skin-soothing properties and refreshing aroma.
The creation of synthetic cucumber molecules
The process of creating synthetic cucumber molecules in perfumery involves both a scientific and creative approach. To reproduce the characteristic smell of cucumber, perfumers use organic chemistry techniques. First, they analyze the volatile compounds present in fresh cucumber to identify the key molecules responsible for its scent. Then, they recreate these molecules in the laboratory using specific chemical reactions.
Perfumers can also use extraction methods to isolate aromatic cucumber compounds from natural extracts.
However, in many cases, synthetic molecules are preferred as they offer greater stability and consistency in fragrance compositions. Once synthetic molecules have been obtained, perfumers skillfully use them to create olfactory accords that faithfully evoke the fresh, green, crisp scent of cucumber. These molecules are often incorporated into summer compositions to provide a refreshing, pleasant note, evoking the sweetness of summer and moments of coolness.
What do you know about cucumber in perfumery?
The process of processing and transforming cucumber into perfume begins with the extraction of the aromatic compounds present in the fresh vegetable. Perfumers generally use solvent extraction or distillation techniques to isolate the cucumber's fragrant molecules. These molecules can then be purified and concentrated to obtain more concentrated and stable extracts. The resulting molecules are then used in the composition of perfumes to provide a green, fresh and crisp note, evoking the characteristic smell of cucumber. These extracts can be combined with other ingredients to create the perfect refreshing scent for summer.
Cucumbers have a characteristic fresh, green and slightly crunchy scent. Its fragrance is soft and delicate, recalling the freshness and lightness of green vegetables. The scent of cucumber often evokes a feeling of cleanliness and purity. In perfumery, cucumber is often associated with olfactory accords that reinforce its freshness and lightness.
Here are some of the accords commonly used with cucumber:
• Marine notes: Marine or aquatic notes work well with cucumber to reinforce its refreshing aspect and evoke the idea of cool water.
• Floral notes: Light floral notes, such as jasmine, lily of the valley or rose, can be combined with cucumber to add a touch of softness and femininity.
• Green notes: Green notes, such as cucumber leaf, basil or petit grain, reinforce cucumber's sensation of vegetal freshness.
• Fruity notes: Light fruity notes, such as green apple or watermelon, can also be combined with cucumber to create gourmet summer fragrances.
Popular cucumber perfumes…
• Eau de parfum Roses on Ice by By Kilian
• Eau de toilette ck One Summer 2017 by Calvin Klein
• Eau de parfum En Passant by Frédéric Malle
