Jasmine Jasmine (Egypt)

Jasmine Heritage in Egypt

Egypt is globally recognized as one of the best countries for cultivating Jasminum grandiflorum, or royal jasmine, thanks to its ideal combination of climate, soil, and agricultural expertise. The warm, sunny climate and mild winters of the Nile Delta and Valley provide optimal conditions for these delicate flowers to flourish. Enriched by the nutrient-rich silt of the Nile River, the fertile soils support robust jasmine growth, while Egypt’s advanced irrigation systems maximize water efficiency in this arid region. Skilled farmers, drawing on a long tradition of agricultural excellence, ensure high-quality yields, securing Egypt’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest jasmine oil. Prized for its rich fragrance and purity, this oil plays a significant role in the global fragrance industry and contributes to Egypt’s economy.

The history of jasmine in Egypt reflects its enduring importance. First introduced in ancient times during the pharaonic era and reintroduced by the Arabs in the 7th century, jasmine saw industrial cultivation in the 1920s when Grasse aromatic companies turned to Egypt to diversify their sources and optimize costs. Today, Egypt leads the world in the production of Jasminum grandiflorum, offering a quality often preferred by fine fragrance perfumers. In Aromatherapy, the absolute is used if the practitioner supports the use of absolutes for its soothing, calming, refocusing, uplifting qualities. The unique Jasmine essential oil produced by our sourcing partner has met great success with aromatherapists (preferring oils to absolutes) who have been looking for a Jasmine Oil since the term (aromatherapy) was coined in 1937 by the French chemist and perfumer René-Maurice Gattefossé.

Harvest and Production Process

The jasmine plant has dark green foliage and delicate white flowers and is pollinated by moths. To ensure the highest quality aromatic compounds, it is necessary to pick the flower and extract the oil right when it blooms. Jasmine flowers bloom in the early morning before the sun rises. They are carefully harvested by hand before dawn (usually between 3am and 6am depending on the time of year) to harvest the flower when it has the highest oil content. Harvesters—most of whom are women—are given a certain number of plants to pick from each day. The harvest season starts around June and can last for several months.

Historically, the Jasmine flower is so delicate that extraction of volatiles had only been possible via traditional hexane or other solvent extraction methods which produce concrete and then absolute. Through many decades of research and trial and error, our partner has been able to successfully steam distill Jasmine flowers to now extract on a commercial scale the pure and natural essential oil for arguably the first time in history. After steam distillation, the spent biomass is used as compost.

Social Impact

For years, our sourcing partners have not only supported the jasmine value chain but have also been deeply committed to uplifting the local community. In 2012, they took their efforts further by establishing a foundation to drive meaningful change through community-led development. Recognizing that women are the anchors of every household, the foundation began with initiatives to empower women and foster a shift in mindset. They also launched a school offering free tutoring, art, and drama lessons for children. Despite initial resistance, these programs thrived. Today, the children’s theater group is among the best in Egypt, performing plays in Cairo and inspiring pride across the region.

Now, 12 years later, the foundation serves over 800 children annually through its school and summer activities center. Its diverse programs include sports, sewing and embroidery classes for girls, arts and crafts, sustainable agronomy, herbal gardening, science education, theater, music, storytelling, ceramics, and math tutoring. Beyond education, the foundation also supports farmers in the jasmine supply chain by providing organic treatments to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and by offering monthly training sessions on Good Agricultural Practices, health and safety, and child labor awareness. This is more than a success story—it’s a testament to how local partnerships can expand economic opportunities and drive community-led development, transforming lives and inspiring generations.