Harvesting

After plants have been carefully planted and cultivated, they must be harvested at the optimal time to preserve the delicate chemistry of the essential oils in the plant. Just as fruits and vegetables taste best when picked at the peak of ripeness, plants used to produce essential oils must be harvested at just the right time in order to optimize the chemical profile of the oil, and to produce as much oil as possible. Preserving the chemical composition during harvesting helps the essential oil retain potency and power. Optimal harvesting practices Preserving the chemical composition during harvesting helps the essential oil retain potency and power. Peak harvest time varies with the plant. It takes years for harvesters to determine the perfect window for essential oil production, but after enough observation and research, they can narrow down the peak harvest time to the optimal season—and even the preferred time of day. For example, Jasmine essential oil is derived from the delicate petals of jasmine flowers. Once the flowers blossom, it doesn’t take long for them to lose their volatile aromatic compounds, so it’s crucial that they’re harvested at the right time in order to preserve the chemical profile. The flowers must be harvested early in the morning, before the buds have had time to fully open—even waiting just an hour too long will cause important chemical compounds to be lost.