Quality depends on many factors; the botanical species, the place and type of cultivation (wild, organic, conventional), as well as the different production methods (distillation time, storage conditions, packaging, etc.)
First of all, and to guarantee the best possible quality, a careful selection of the raw material is essential, using high quality plants. Prefer plants from regions renowned for their specific terroir, which positively influences the chemical composition of the essential oil.
To guarantee the purity of the oil, it is then necessary to adopt environmentally friendly cultivation methods: without pesticides or harmful chemicals. Cultivation methods that preserve soil health, save water and promote biodiversity. Then, non-invasive extraction methods, such as steam distillation, to preserve the integrity of the volatile compounds in the essential oil.
Rigorous quality tests are then carried out to analyse the chemical composition and check for contaminants. Authenticity testing to confirm that the oil has not been diluted or mixed with a substance of lesser value is also performed to ensure the quality of the product.
Finally, essential oils must be stored in optimal conditions: away from direct light, heat or humidity, to prevent the degradation of chemical compounds and to ensure that the purity of the product is preserved.
In addition to respecting each of these stages of the production process, certifications guarantee the purity and quality of essential oils. For organic farming, these certifications issued by third parties such as ECOCERT, attest to production and quality management practices.
These certifications ensure transparency and traceability of the product: they provide detailed information on the exact origin of the plants, the cultivation methods, the extraction process and for each batch, a gas chromatography giving the proportion of its components.
The quality of essential oils is therefore significant when it includes the environmental impact of production. It is through precise sourcing, sustainable production and respect for traceability that quality assurance and the preservation of natural resources are guaranteed.