CEPES ABSOLUTE

Basic

Plant/History

Uses

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Safety

About the Plant

Found in Europe and N. America, this beauty grows singly or in small clusters, sprouting under Conifers. The Porcini (also King Bolete, Cep) mushroom, a highly regarded edible mushroom is known by several names, including cep (the Catalan version) or cepe (from the French). Porcini comes from the Italian. Boletus from the Latin root, bolet, meaning superior and edulis - meaning edible. The mushroom is known by many other names, including Ontto tuxuri (meaning 'the blond') in Basque and Khubz el a'a ('crow's bread') in Arabic. Boletus edulis is found in Europe and N. America, grows singly or in small clusters, sprouting under Conifers (pine, spruce hemlock and fir). Also found in hardwood forests containing oaks. It fruits from summer to autumn, especially following sustained rainfall. There are a number of Boletus species in N. America. True Boletus edulis has a reddish-brown, slightly sticky cap and a reticulate stems. Reticulation causes network of raised ridges that create a net-like pattern, like the stem of the bolete shown to the right. Reticulation is a texture, and not necessarily a color difference. Often, the raised ridges on a reticulate stem are colored differently (or eventually discolor), but this is not always the case.

Flavoring:

Aromatherapy: Cepes absolute has not been used in aromatherapy and is primarily a perfume ingredient.

Perfumery: Highly prized as a perfume ingredient, Cepes Absolute blends well with Guiacwood, Vetiver and Oakmoss for a base accord. Cepes absolute would be classified as an agrestic odor (earthy/mossy), sometimes with a sweet almost chocolate-like hint. Often used in Chypre or Fougere (fern) compositions. Chypre is 'Cypress' in French and a Chypre-type perfume is traditionally based on Oakmoss, Sandalwood and Musk with Rose and Jasmine middle notes with a fresh Citrus introduction. The prototype of twentieth century Chypre-type perfumes is 'Chypre de Coty', created by Francois Coty and launched in 1917. Use a gentle hand with Cepes absolute, it can overpower. It can help with blends to emulate animal musk, and is used in some of the famous chypre and fougere compositions. It blends nicely with cocoa absolute, or even coffee essential oil and can be a compliment in a variety of base accords. You'll want to let any accords made with Cepes age well. Some perfumers describe the Cepes itself as 'chocolaty'. There is no doubt odor variations depending on geographic location and extraction method. For base accord: blend with Guiacwood, Vetiver or Oakmoss.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep aromatic extracts tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. Never ingest aromatic extracts. Always dilute aromatic extracts when applying topically and avoid areas around eyes or mucous membranes. If redness or irritation occurs, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.