Parfume is a French word that means
"perfume." In English, it is often used to refer to scented oils, but
in French it refers to any kind of perfume. Parfumeurs make perfumes and
colognes on the basis of natural essences (fragrance ingredients).
Historically, perfumery has been as much
an art form as it was a science. The first recorded perfume recipe dates back
to 875 AD in China when Emperor Muzong ordered the creation of an aromatic
paste known as tangyuan. It was made from citrus peels, musk and camphor. The
Tang dynasty emperor also ordered that the recipe be kept secret so that only
those who could afford it could enjoy its therapeutic effects.
Today's perfumers must have a great deal
of knowledge about chemistry, botany and natural products to create new
fragrances with freshness and sensuality. They also need to understand how
people react differently to different smells based on culture, age and gender.
