Symrise - composition house and ingredients supplier - continues its expansion in the Grasse landscape by entrusting its natural brand, Maison Lautier 1795, with the exploitation of the mimosa of La Croix-des-Gardes (Cannes). This ingredient will soon enrich the palette of its Artisan range.
Symrise and Maison Lautier 1795 at the service of artisanal know-how
Following a request for a temporary occupation authorization by the city of Cannes, Symrise was entrusted with the exploitation of the mimosa of La Croix-des-Gardes, a protected natural area overlooking the bay of Cannes.
For a period of 12 months, renewable for 4 years, Maison Lautier 1795 will exploit 8 hectares of land on behalf of Symrise in order to create a mimosa absolute. This ingredient will join the Artisan range of Maison Lautier 1795 next year, which celebrates artisanal know-how.
This new project is managed from the Maison Lautier 1795 headquarters in the Alpes-Maritimes by Camille Quintin, Supply Chain Director at Maison Lautier 1795. The first mimosa harvest took place at the end of February. Eventually, Maison Lautier 1795 plans to harvest about ten tons per year for a production of about 25 kg of absolute.
" We are sincerely delighted to be able to benefit of the farm of La Croix-des-Gardes. The mimosa was one of our priorities following our return to the region. We can thus complete the palette of our natural ingredients with this exceptional vintage. The partnership with the city of Cannes is part of a logic of trust that is both durable and long-lasting. "Camille Quintin, Supply Chain Director, Maison Lautier 1795.
Nicknamed the third island, La Croix-des-Gardes, property of the Conservatoire du Littoral, is a place full of history, an inescapable heritage classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, precious for the fauna and flora of Provence.
Through its botanical trails is one of the most beautiful forests of mimosa of the French Riviera. This tree with its fragrant yellow flowers was planted there by Lord Brougham, owner of the place in 1864, before becoming so naturalized that it invaded the local scrubland. Forced to make a stopover in Cannes, this Scottish lord would have fallen in love with this small fishing port to the point of acquiring land there and organizing large winter receptions which will make the reputation of the city today. The Croix-des-Gardes is thus considered as the cradle of the mimosa in France, occupying a place of choice among the Cannois.
A meaningful partnership
An invasive plant that needs to be controlled, Acacia dealbata, better known as mimosa, is a plant native to Australia. It is an essential ingredient in the perfumer's palette revealing powdery, honeyed and green floral facets.
Beyond the olfactory interest of this exceptional flower for the production of natural raw materials, Symrise signs a partnership with the city of Cannes and is committed to a responsible approach.
The composition house ensures the control of the mimosa and initiates a forest management program, thus responding to environmental issues of enhancement and protection of the site of La Croix-des-Gardes.
Symrise intends to deploy its activities and commitments in the Grasse area with Maison Lautier 1795 and also announces the exploitation of a rose field in May at the meeting point between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, in Fayence.
Absolute mimosa
Olfactory profile: floral, powdery, honeyed, green, violet leaf, cucumber
Harvest: January to March
Source: La Croix-des-Gardes (Cannes, France)
" The mimosa, of its botanical name Acacia dealbata, is an opulent flower, which produces an extremely powerful powdery, floral and green scent. Not to be confused with its cousin acacia farnesiana (Farnese or Cassia mimosa), which offers a more balmy and dried fruit profile. Perfumers use its most beautiful expression: an absolute, a product obtained by extraction with solvents. When you put your nose to it, you recognize accents of violet leaves, vegetal, honey, heliotrope, linden and even fresh cucumber skin. Although the scent of the flower is more powdery, it is an extremely fine raw material, which brings sweetness and power to the heart and melts into green or aquatic floral compositions. "Théo Belmas, junior perfumer
