[Graphic explanation] Difference of absolute, concrete, oleoresin, resinoid

Table 1 Extract and Target

Extract	Target
absolute	flower
concrete	flower
oleoresin	fruit, leaf, bark, root, stem
resinoid	balsam, resin, gum resin

These are extracted by organic solvent (hexane, acetone, etc.)

A concrete is extracted from flowers.

An absolute is extracted from a concrete.

An oleoresin is extracted from fruit, leaf, bark, root, stem, etc.

A resinoid is extracted from balsam, resin, gum resin, etc.

Extract example 　black tea

In case of black tea, the target is tea leaf.

You add hot water in the tea leaf and stir. Then the catechin and flavor move to hot water. You remove the tea leafs and pour a cup. The elegant tea time will start.

The amount of catechin and flavor are changed by the extraction time and the temperature of hot water.

Common words are showed as the following.

hot water : solvent
tea leaf : target
stirring : extraction

concrete, oleoresin, resinoid

Targets are flower, fruit, leaf, bark, resin, etc. The extract naming is changed by the targets. Normally hexane and acetone are used as solvent. You need to remove the solvent to get the extract.

extract	target
concrete	rose, jasmine
oleoresin	pepper, ginger, celery
resinoid	resin, castorium, ambergris

A concrete is extracted from flowers like rose and jasmine.

An oleoresin is extracted from pepper, ginger, celery, etc.

A resinoid is extracted from resin, castorium, ambergris, etc.

The extract method is the same in oleoresins and resinoids. But the naming are changed by the purpose.

for flavor : oleoresin
for fragrance : resinoid

absolute

At first, you add the solvent (ethanol) in concrete. After the freezing (-20 degree Celsius), wax appear. After removing the insolubles and the solvent, you get absolute. Concrete has much wax, but absolute has less wax.