We are proud to present a most intriguing line of Ambergris Scents - the White Gold of the Ocean lends itself beautifully to Gourmet Art Parfums; rich, flavorful fruit compotes with a soothing base of Ambergris. It is known for its flavorful properties in fine cuisines and delicatessen - the new Ambergris Gourmet Collection will leave you olfactory satisfied but coming back for seconds...
Plump Blackberries in sweet, earthy Ambergris will make for a most fragrant treat - for all who love the rich, fulfilling taste of Northwest blackberries, sun-ripened and picked at the peak of their freshness, this most enticing Art Parfum will become your favourite scent for everyday freshness and sunny memories.

WHAT IS AMBERGRIS

Due to the sperm whale's inability to digest squid beaks, it produces ambergris, an intestinal secretion to protect the stomach lining. The secretion hardens within the body and gets expelled as waste, and can be found floating in the waters where the sperm whales reside; off the coasts of Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East and South East Asia. Ambergris has become a rare commodity and one of the most sought-after substances in the world. Since the demand for rare ambergris far outweighs the production - only a mere 1% of the male sperm whales produce ambergris - finding genuine ambergris washed ashore will soon be a thing of the past.

HOW IS AMBERGRIS USED

Ambergris has been used extensively historically and culturally since ancient times. The Egyptians of yesterday burned ambergris as incense, while in modern Egypt ambergris is used for scenting cigarettes. The ancient Chinese called ambergris "dragon's spittle fragrance". During the Middle Ages, Europeans used ambergris as a medication for headaches, colds, epilepsy, and other ailments. At the time of the Black Death in Europe, people believed that carrying a ball of ambergris could help prevent them from getting the plague. This was because the fragrance covered the smell of the air which was believed to be the cause of plague. Ambergris in different forms has also been used as a flavouring for food, and some people consider it an aphrodisiac, and is, therefore, one of the main ingredients in modern perfumery.

WHAT DOES AMBERGRIS SMELL LIKE

Ambergris has an unusual odor which is difficult to explain to anyone who has never had the pleasure of its sensual aroma. Ambergris is often described as being musky and having a sweet earthy aroma unlike any other, or a mossy fragrance reminiscent of the damp forest floor. Depending on the quality of the ambergris there can be a great variation in the fragrance. Poor quality or fresh ambergris (which is black and sticky) is fairly offensive in fragrance. If you can imagine scented cow dung you will be on the right track. Many people expect ambergris to have a very strong or foul odour, but this is not the case. In general, lighter-coloured pieces of ambergris have a subtle, pleasant smell. The base animal (manure) odour fades as the ambergris cures. However, the white and grey varieties, in particular, possess the subtle, sweet addictive aroma that beach combing dreams are made of.