Frangipani, the delicious flowers

The name “frangipani” comes from a legend of the 12th century, when an italian man called Frangipani created a very appreciated fragrance. Four centuries later, european travellers discovered in Caribbeans the Plumeria tree, which has a similar fragrance. Frangipani is one of the most beautiful tropical tree. Moreover, it is a perfuming and medicinal plant. It has the reputation of being immortal as it provides flowers and leaves even though it is torn.

Water with a magical scent…

The sandalwood, used by men from the dawn of their history, has given birth to regular exchanges, allowing the opening of commercial roads throughout east-southern Asia, just as spices started it before. Symbol of luxury, it has been one of the first goods to be subjected to “barter”, and its business hasn’t been interrupted still nowadays … Its trade, developed in an intensive way during the 19th century, has led to the decrease of certain species until their complete disappearance in precise geographic areas, also creating real ecological and socio-economical disruption.

Born in the Pacific area, the sandalwood, whose botanical specificity stands as well in the diversity of its implantation as in its faculty of adaptation (diverse ecological conditions : climate, ground, orientation, altitude), is curiously used by countries, such as in China, where it runs out.

The Volcanic water with remineralizing properties

Lagoon water arises in the heart of the atolls of French Polynesia, a privileged environment where the coral reefs edge turquoise blue lagoons.

This resource, naturally rich in minerals and trace elements, is continually regenerated by the natural endo-upwelling phenomenon which takes place mainly along the coastlines facing the great oceans. Endo-upwelling occurs when the deep and rich waters of the ocean rise to the surface by thermal convection. It begins in the basalt substrata at a depth of 3,000 to 5,000 metres; the geothermal flow thus created is transformed in the coral reefs into an outflow of interstitial water very rich in nutrients.

The pure marine waters rising from the depths of the ocean are overflowing with mineral salts and marine ions; they continue to be enriched as they pass through the porous limestone and reef substrates. Owing to this considerable addition of nutrient elements, pelagic life can develop and lagoon water becomes uniquely pure.

The beneficial effects of seawater have been proved in a great many studies and humans have been using it since ancient times. This tradition still continues today in thalassotherapy and the Spa movement, which are gathering more and more followers…

The Tiare Tahiti, the vahine’s beauty secret

The Tiare or Candolle flower, with its smooth perfume and its gorgeous white petals, represents the emblem of Tahiti.

It develops itself according to a vegetal specific cycle to French Polynesia.

Its jasmined fragrance reminds of exoticism, whereas its sweetness releases smoothness and delicacy…

More than a decoration plant, several curative virtues are attributed to it according to local pharmacopoeia, from the treatment of headaches (in soaking), to the treatment of the inflammations (in infusion)…

Resulting of this extraction process, the very refreshing floral water, carries the Tiare’s vertues and can widely be used in cosmetic area

Vanilla, Ambassadress of islands

While Madagascar, the Comoros and the Reunion island produce “Bourbon” vanilla with its long and thin beans, the West Indies supply a variety called “Pompona”, with large and short fruits; French Polynesia cultivates the “Tahitensis” variety more “fleshy” with an intense perfume…

Whatever its origin, Vanilla stays one of the most appreciated fruit in the world, as well for its aroma in foodstuffs, as for its fragrance, in cosmetics and perfumery. In the fabrication of this water, two sorts of vanillas are selected for their complementarity of aroma : “Bourbon” vanilla, for its concentration of vanillin, and “Tahitian” vanilla for its aromatic harmony.

This fruit’s water, rich in volatil compounds, carries the virtues of the vanilla fruit for a wide cosmetic use.

The Emblem of Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas are virgin islands with luxuriant and generous vegetation.

It also can be found on most high Polynesian islands, the Kau Pe comes from Hawaii and is locally called «pua». It is the emblem of these islands, just as the Tiare flower is for Tahiti.

Legend says that the first Pua was brought to the earth by the god Tane, god of forests, who had taken it from his tenth heaven. That is why Pua was considered sacred and dedicated to make idols for the god Tane.

This very decorative small tree is characterized by its flowers, particularly valued for their exhilarating, subtle and delicate perfume smelling like Tiare. Flower of love, friendship and life, it is mainly used to make crowns and garlands, and is also used for a Marquesas specialty, the Umuhei, a mix of traditional plants with aphrodisiac virtues macerated in Monoï.