Do you know roll-on aroma?
Fragrances are commonly available in spray form, but there are also various types such as cream types and room diffusers.
Currently, the popularity of roll-on aroma, which is easy to carry in a long, slender container and can be quickly applied to desired areas anytime and anywhere, is reportedly rising among both men and women.
There is a place where you can make such roll-on aroma yourself.
Roll-on aroma for me, by me
I experienced making such aroma at the Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall.
What is Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall
A little west of the Kurashiki City Art Museum is the Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall.
They hold experience events such as aroma making irregularly, and for detailed information on dates, please check the homepage and SNS.
This time, I experienced two main activities.
- Making "Wahakka" by distilling pesticide-free mint to extract essential oil
- Making "Original Roll-on" by blending multiple essential oils
Experience making "Wahakka" and original roll-on
Let's start with making "Wahakka".
Mint cultivated in Mabi, Kurashiki City is separated into stems and leaves after being well dried (100 grams).
The leaves are crushed finely, and at this point, both hands are enveloped in the sweet aroma of mint, raising expectations.
The stems and leaves are packed into a distillation flask with water at the bottom.
Making "Wahakka"
From here, we will make "Wahakka" essential oil.
Seal the flask and set up the steam distillation apparatus.
Once heating begins, the generated steam escapes from the top of the flask, carrying the aromatic components of the mint.
However, since it is a gas, it cannot be seen with the naked eye.
That gas is cooled in a double-tube cooler and drips into the oil-water separation tube as a liquid.
Although I couldn't capture it in a photo, the way it drops in a swirl is quite cute.
The boiling water inside the distillation flask has a color similar to that of strong tea, but the inside of the oil-water separation tube is colorless and transparent.
The distilled water and a small amount of aroma (essential oil) extracted from the mint are separated into two layers, with the essential oil floating on top.
To be precise, it is aromatic distilled water containing a small amount of aroma and the essential oil floating above it.
The aroma (essential oil) is carefully extracted using a dropper.
I was able to create about 2 milliliters of "Wahakka".
The aromatic distilled water is collected in a beaker at the bottom.
I was told, "The aromatic distilled water that wafts the aroma can be used to scent your room, and add 1-2 drops of 'Wahakka' essential oil to your bath."
I learned this.
Making "Original Roll-on"
Next, we will make the original roll-on.
Using 7 milliliters of plant oil known as carrier oil as a base, 10 drops (about 0.5 milliliters) of essential oil are added.
This time, I selected three types from six essential oils (including Wahakka) consisting of three top notes (highly volatile and fragrant first), three middle notes, and one base note, combining them in such a way that the total adds up to 10 drops.
Using scent testing paper, I checked the fragrance one by one to find my own scent.
I carefully added the essential oils to the beaker containing the carrier oil.
- Wahakka (top): 4 drops
- Ylang-ylang (middle): 3 drops
- Hinoki (base): 3 drops
My original roll-on is complete.
Conclusion
Mint, which was once actively cultivated in Kurashiki, was one of Kurashiki's famous products alongside cotton and rush grass.
Through the efforts of the Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall, they are trying to revive it as a perfume and food additive.
- What is the difference between mint and hacca?
- Is hacca a medicine?
- Is it true that it was cultivated in Kurashiki?
If you are interested in mint, please visit the small shop "Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall," which is slightly west of the Bikan Historical Area.
While enveloped in a sweet aroma, let's experience the culture of Kurashiki.
Data on the mint distillation experience 2022
| Name | Mint Distillation Experience 2022 |
|---|---|
| Date | Please refer to the Instagram of Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall for the dates |
| Location | 2-10-11 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 3,500 yen |
| Homepage | Kurashiki Hakka Exhibition Hall Instagram |
