Absolutes

An absolute is a highly concentrated viscous, semisolid, or solid natural material, usually obtained by alcohol extraction. The majority of essential oils are produced by the process of steam distillation. Some flowers, however, are too delicate for steam distillation (they get very damaged) and so it is better to produce their oils by extraction or enfleurage. An absolute oil should not really be called an essential oil, it is an essence, it has a very high concentration of fragrance and a little goes a long way. An absolute oil is volatile, meaning it evaporates as opposed to a fixed oil which does not. Absolute oils are generally more expensive to buy than steam distilled oils. The price of essential oils can change rapidly and abruptly depending on various factors such as crop yields, political instability, etc.