Rice

Group: Grass and Green Components

Common name - rice;

Family - Poaceae or Gramineae;

Subfamily - Bambusoideae or Ehrhartoideae;

Genus - Oryza;

Species - Oryza sativa (the most known specie)

Talking of rice in perfumery, the aroma that comes across the olfactory senses is of basmati rice and Indian rice pudding - Kheer. And coming to think of green and clean fragrance of paddy fields, Angel Schlesser Homme by Angel Schlesser, which is an Aromatic fougere fragrance, springs to mind. Kenzo blends it perfectly to get the warm feel of rice, milk and sensual vanilla in Kenzo Amour.

Rice - the main staple for over 50% of the world's population. It is grown in every nook of the world and enjoyed in many food dishes and drinks. The cuisines of world are already familiar with this fragrant grain which possesses heavenly aroma of nutty, green, grassy, and earthy nuances. Rice is classified as a grain crop belonging to the plant family Poaceae whose plants are usually called grass.

It is also amongst the world's major crops. It belongs to the genus Oryza and has two cultivated and 22 wild species. The cultivated species are Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima. Oryza sativa is grown all over the world while Oryza glaberrima is commonly known as African rice due to being mostly cultivated and domesticated in Africa. Rice is grown under many different conditions and production systems, but submerged in water is the most common method used worldwide. About its nativity, it is native to almost every part of the world but about 90% of the world crop is consumed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Coming to its production, the countries that include as the leading producers and leading consumers at the same time are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, Brazil and Philippines.

Well, this term is given to numerous varieties of rice which is identified by a pronounced nutty aroma and flavour. This aroma is attributed to a much higher proportion of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, a naturally occurring compound found in all rice.
 

Mostly, the aroma of rice in perfumery is obtained through synthetic resources. Here are a few to share with you all:

• Rice steam/basmati rice/jasmine rice note: 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline
• Fresh bread, tortillas, popcorn: 6-Acetyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine
• Rice powder/facial powder: Often due to iris (either due to natural orris butter or violet-like ionones) as well as mimosa.
   

Rice is considered as an ancient secret to beauty and has been used for years to produce the best quality cosmetics. It is said to have been used by the generations of Asian women dating back to the 16th century.

It has also been a practice of holistic healing in the ancient art of Ayurveda for centuries to use rice powder in the form of a poultice to soothe and bring rapid relief from inflamed acne or skin ulcerations on the skin.

Rice powder is a perfect alternative to using talc in foundation formulas. It is lightweight, translucent and offers slow oil-absorbing properties.  It is also used as a setting powder in mineral veils and mineral foundations which is best for soothing skin irritations and cools the skin.

            Here's another perfume recommendation with rice - KenzoKi Rice Steam

 

Perfumes and Colognes With Rice