Concrete and absolute

While essential oils are derived through heat (steam distillation) or pressure (cold-pressing) processes, concretes are produced by solvent extraction. Plant material is added to a hydrocarbon solvent, a process that results in less degradation of the aroma/flavour molecule of the plant. Absolutes are produced when a second process is applied to concretes – the additional extraction with ethanol. The resulting product is the most concentrated form of the aroma/flavor material.