Used in Luxurious French Perfumes, What Makes Madurai’s Jasmine Oil So Expensive?

The ancient temple town of Tamil Nadu’s Madurai is known as India’s Jasmine city. Madurai’s jasmine oil is one of the most expensive scents in the world, and just 1 kg of this essential oil can cost more than Rs 4 lakh. But what makes it so costly? Jasminum sambac, which is the commercially flavoured variety of jasmine, grows in abundance in the city. These can cost up to 10 times more compared to other varieties. Roughly 60 percent of the production cost of jasmine oil is attributed to flowers used. Jasmine is sold as buds and not as flowers. Once it blooms, the scent doesn’t last long. Ha...