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Longoza in Perfumery | Première Peau

FLOWERS  /  floral · warm · spicy
Longoza
Longoza perfume ingredient
CategoryFLOWERS
Subcategoryfloral · warm · spicy
Origin
VolatilityHeart Note
BotanicalAframomum angustifolium
AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor StrengthMedium
Producing CountriesMadagascar
PyramidHeart

Warm, spicy-green, less pungent than cardamom. Longoza seeds from Madagascar carry a woody-aromatic quality closer to cypress than to ginger.

  1. Scent
  2. The Full Story
  3. Fun Fact
  4. Extraction & Chemistry
  5. In Perfumery
  6. See Also

Scent

Warm and spicy-green with woody-resinous undertones. Less pungent and camphorated than cardamom, with facets recalling cypress, rosemary, and juniper. The beta-pinene dominance gives it a fresh, almost turpentine-like lift over the warmer spice base.

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The Full Story

Longoza (Aframomum angustifolium) is a rhizomatous plant in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) endemic to Madagascar. Known locally as the 'flower of eternity,' it grows in the humid forests of the island's east coast. The essential oil is distilled from the seeds, which are sun-dried before processing.

The oil has a warm, spicy-green profile dominated by beta-pinene (24.8%), beta-caryophyllene (17.8%), and cis-pinocarvyl acetate (11%). This composition gives longoza a distinctive character: spicier than most green notes but less pungent than cardamom, with woody-resinous facets closer to cypress or juniper than to ginger.

In perfumery, longoza serves as a heart note providing aromatic-spicy warmth with a green lift. It bridges the gap between traditional spice notes and woody-aromatic families. The oil is rare and produced in small quantities, limiting its use to niche and artisanal perfumery. It works alongside vetiver, sandalwood, and citrus materials in compositions seeking Malagasy terroir specificity.

Did You Know?

Did you know?
In Madagascar, longoza seeds are traditionally used in sacred rituals and as a component of protective talismans. The plant's nickname, 'flower of eternity,' comes from its ability to regenerate rapidly after fire.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Steam distillation of sun-dried seeds. The drying process concentrates the volatile compounds. Yields are modest, and production is limited to small-scale operations in Madagascar's eastern coastal regions.

Molecular FormulaComplex essential oil — key components: 1,8-cineole (C₁₀H₁₈O), β-pinene (C₁₀H₁₆)
CAS Number91745-45-2
Botanical NameAframomum angustifolium
IFRA StatusNo known restrictions
Synonymslongoza flower, longoz, longozia
Physical Properties
Odor StrengthMedium
AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid

In Perfumery

Longoza oil is a heart note in niche and artisanal compositions, providing aromatic-spicy warmth with a distinctive Malagasy origin. Its beta-pinene and beta-caryophyllene chemistry places it between spice and woody-aromatic families. Useful in compositions seeking terroir specificity or alternatives to standard cardamom and ginger. Pairs well with vetiver, sandalwood, and citrus materials.

See Also

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