TUMBAO - CUBA Eau de Parfum

The soul of the Mojito. An explosion of zesty and tangy freshness that kicks off the party. It's the note that snaps and awakens the senses.

Origine & récolte
Our journey takes us to the sunny orchards of the state of Veracruz, where farmers harvest limes while still green to maximize the concentration of essential oil. It is a story of know-how, where the precise moment of harvest determines the quality of the essence.

History & Origins
Native to Asia, lime found its favorite land in Latin America, and more particularly in Mexico, which is the world's leading producer. It is a pillar of local culture and gastronomy.

Uses Then and Now
Indispensable in cuisine and cocktails (Ceviche, Mojito, Caipirinha), lime is also a major ingredient in Eaux de Cologne and citrus perfumes for its unparalleled freshness.

The Ingredient's Signature
A green, tart burst, like peel crushed under the sun: lime snaps in the opening, fresh, bright and full of light.

Impact
Agroforestry cultivation practiced by our partners helps preserve local biodiversity and maintain soil health.

Under the sun of Veracruz, the fruit fills with life. Its pressed zest, a promise of infinite strife. A freshness that sparkles, a pure energy, The first chord of a wild symphony.

I worked with this lime essential oil obtained by expression to keep all its vivacity. Unlike distilled essential oil, it retains this sensation of freshly pressed zest, essential for the 'cocktail' effect.

For Tumbao, we needed an explosive start, like the beginning of a song that carries you away. Mexican Lime, with its bitterness and vivacity, was an obvious choice. It's the freshness that makes you dance.

Information is given for indicative purposes. Expressed lime essential oil can be photosensitizing. Avoid sun exposure after application. Contains allergens (limonene, citral).

Fresher, fusing, and more floral than classic ginger, Blue Ginger (or Galangal) brings a unique spicy facet, almost peppery and soapy, which energizes the top of the perfume with surprising elegance.

Origine & récolte
It is the story of an encounter between an exceptional terroir and know-how. On the high plateaus of Madagascar, farmers cultivate this rhizome whose bluish color when cut testifies to its freshness and richness in active compounds. Distilling it on-site allows capturing all its energy.

History & Origins
Galangal (Alpinia galanga), or Blue Ginger, is a rhizome of the same family as ginger and turmeric. Native to Indonesia, it is a fundamental ingredient of Southeast Asian cuisine (Thailand, Malaysia...). Its cultivation in Madagascar is more recent and offers exceptional olfactory quality.

Uses Then and Now
A pillar of Asian cuisine, its use in fine perfumery is a more recent trend, sought after for its spicy freshness and complexity.

The Ingredient's Signature
A sharp, bright spark, like a glint of light on water: blue ginger awakens the opening with a spicy, crisp liveliness.

Impact
By supporting a high value-added crop, this supply chain offers an economic alternative to slash-and-burn cultivation, thus contributing to the fight against deforestation in Madagascar.

On the red earth of the island continent, A secret rhizome, powerful treasure. Its scent is a flash, vivid and confusing, A spicy fire under a breath of wind.

Blue Ginger is a fantastic raw material. It has the freshness of ginger, but without its earthy side, and with a floral facet reminiscent of freesia. It allows creating a very luminous spicy start, which bridges the gap between citrus and the hot spices of the heart.

We didn't want a classic ginger. Blue Ginger from Madagascar, sourced by Behave, seduced us with its incisive freshness and complexity. It is the spice that brings the 'tumbao', that syncopated rhythm that makes all the originality of the perfume.

Information is given for indicative purposes. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

Also called 'Pink Peppercorn', this ingredient is not a pepper at all. It is a berry that brings a spicy, fresh, peppery, and slightly floral note. It is the spark that ignites the flame of the perfume.

Origine & récolte
Our journey leads us to the Peruvian high plateaus, where Schinus molle grows wild. The harvest of pink pepper clusters is delicate work, carried out manually by local communities who possess ancestral know-how on the ideal picking time for optimal quality.

History & Origins
The 'false pepper tree' (Schinus molle) is native to South America. Its berries flavoured the ritual drinks of the Incas. They were introduced to Europe as a decorative spice before winning over perfumers.

Uses Then and Now
Long used as simple culinary decoration, pink pepper has become a choice ingredient in fine perfumery since the 90s, bringing a new spicy freshness, different from traditional spices.

The Ingredient's Signature
Little pink pearls that crackle like sparks: pink peppercorns give the opening a soft, fresh and fruity pepper, a touch of liveliness on the skin.

Impact
Cultivating this resistant tree helps fight soil erosion in the arid regions of the Andes.

On the high plateaus of the Andes, a sacred tree. Its pink berries, a peppery and delicate treasure. A freshness that surprises, a racy spice, The joyful sting of a burst.

I used a supercritical CO2 extraction for the pink pepper. This technique allows obtaining an extract of exceptional purity, which perfectly transcribes the pungent and fruity sensation of the fresh berry, without the heavier notes of a classic distillation.

Pink Pepper brings the unexpected twist at the top. It prolongs the freshness of the lime while introducing the spicy theme of the perfume. It is an elegant and modern note.

Information is given for indicative purposes. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

More than an ingredient, a sensation. The Mojito accord is the art of the perfumer recreating the experience of the famous Cuban cocktail. It assembles the bitterness of Lime, the aromatic freshness of Spearmint, and a liquorous touch evoking cane sugar and Rum, for a start striking with realism and joie de vivre.

Origine & récolte
The quest for the perfect accord is a journey in the laboratory, a balancing act to capture the essence of a cocktail and transform it into an elegant and lasting perfume note.

History & Origins
The Mojito is an emblematic cocktail of Cuban culture, whose origins may date back to the 16th century. It is said to derive from a drink of tafia (an industrial rum), sugar, lime and mint attributed to the crew of the privateer Francis Drake.

Uses Then and Now
From a drink of sailors and privateers to the most popular cocktail in the world, the Mojito is a symbol of celebration and conviviality. Its arrival in perfumery is a recent trend that seeks to capture its energy and freshness in joyful summer compositions.

The Ingredient's Signature
The rustle of a mint leaf and the burst of a crushed lime: the mojito accord snaps, sparkles and refreshes like a frosted glass under the Havana sun.

Impact
The use of accords allows infinite creativity while having a controlled environmental impact.

The pestle crushes mint and sugar, The lime bursts, a scent that intoxicates. The ice crackling, a lasting promise, The first glass of a night that delivers.

Creating a realistic Mojito accord is a balancing act. You need the vivacity of Lime, but without aggressive acidity. I used Spearmint essential oil, softer and less mentholated than peppermint, for its 'green leaf' facet. A trace of Rum CO2 Extract from the start and a molecule evoking brown sugar complete the illusion. It's a nose-trick that immediately puts a smile on your face.

Tumbao is a party, and what party starts without a cocktail? The Mojito accord is not just a note, it's the starting intention: to create an explosion of joy, a sensation of freshness and conviviality that instantly transports you to a terrace in Havana.

Information is given for indicative purposes. This is a cosmetic accord. Cannot replace medical advice.

Queen of spices and treasure of the Malabar Coast, Indian cardamom is the cradle of this scent. Warmer and woodier than its Guatemalan cousin, it unfolds a spicy, camphorous, and almost cinnamic freshness, evoking the lush spice gardens of Kerala.

Origine & récolte
Our journey takes us into the lush landscapes of Kerala, where cardamom plants grow in the shade of the tropical forest. Harvesting is expert work, each pod being picked by hand just before full maturity to ensure maximum concentration of aromas. It is a story of tradition and respect for nature.

History & Origins
Cardamom is native to the 'Cardamom Hills', the hills of the Western Ghats range, in southern India. It is one of the oldest spices in the world, mentioned in Vedic texts over 3000 years ago. It was a precious commodity on the Spice Route, exported to Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Uses Then and Now
Fundamental ingredient of 'garam masala' and Indian 'chai', cardamom is also chewed to freshen breath. In perfumery, it is a luxury spice, used to bring freshness and character to masculine and feminine compositions.

The Ingredient's Signature
Green seeds that burst into a fresh, spicy powder: cardamom gives the heart an aromatic liveliness, lemony, camphoraceous and warm all at once.

Impact
Cultivating cardamom in polyculture, amidst other spices like pepper or clove, preserves a rich ecosystem and promotes biodiversity in the 'spice forests' of Kerala.

On the hills of Kerala, under the singing monsoon, The green pod is a jewel box, opulent promise. Its soul is a breath, at once fresh and burning, The millennia-old perfume of an enchanting India.

Indian cardamom is a material of crazy richness. It possesses a natural 'chai' facet, with accents of cinnamon and clove. I used it for its ability to warm the composition from the inside, creating a striking contrast with the freshness of lime and ginger.

For Tumbao, we wanted to return to the origin of the spice. Indian cardamom, with its warmer and more complex notes, brings incredible depth and authenticity. It is the perfect bridge between the freshness of the start and the warmth of the base, a true journey to the heart of the Spice Route.

Information is given for indicative purposes. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

A root with olfactory treasure, secret of the peoples of the Amazon. It offers a unique scent, at once woody, spicy, earthy, and floral, of fascinating complexity that signs the heart of Tumbao.

Origine & récolte
It is the story of a collaboration with the guardian communities of the forest. Whether in Brazil or Peru with the Shipibo communities, rhizome harvesting is done manually, according to rituals that respect the plant's cycles. Local know-how is at the heart of the process, guaranteeing a raw material of rare quality and authenticity, charged with spiritual energy.

History & Origins
Traditionally used by many Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, notably the Shipibo of Peru who include it in their ritual plant baths, priprioca root (Cyperus articulatus) is a symbol of the richness and knowledge of the forest. Its use in fine perfumery is recent and precious.

Uses Then and Now
Once a secret of Amazonian communities, Priprioca is today a raw material sought after by perfumers in search of originality and authentic stories. Its valorization participates in the preservation of the forest.

The Ingredient's Signature
A root from the Amazon, woody, earthy and lightly smoky: priprioca gives the heart a wild, mysterious depth.

Impact
The economic valorization of Priprioca encourages the preservation of the primary forest and offers an alternative to deforestation. It is a concrete example of 'bio-economy' keeping the forest standing.

In the heart of the Amazon, the earth breathes. A sacred root, a perfume that inspires. Woody, spicy, a song of nature, The secret of a forest, a pure soul.

Priprioca is an exciting challenge. It has so many facets that you have to chisel it. I used it to create a bridge between the heart spices and the woody base. It brings this earthy vibration and mysterious depth.

Priprioca is the soul of Tumbao. It is an incredible raw material, which tells a story. It brings this unique woody and exotic touch, which instantly transports to the heart of the forest and gives the perfume its unforgettable character.

Information is given for indicative purposes. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace medical advice.

The soul of a grand amber rum, captured without the alcohol. This CO2 extract reveals liquorous, woody, vanilla, and spicy facets, evoking the warmth of agricultural rum aged in oak barrels. It is a gourmand and comforting note, of striking richness and realism.

Origine & récolte
It is the story of modern alchemy. The journey begins in the distilleries of Martinique, where rum ages patiently in barrels. Then, in France, this rum is entrusted to engineers who, thanks to supercritical CO2 technology, will extract its perfumed heart. It is an encounter between Caribbean tradition and French innovation.

History & Origins
Rum is a spirit inseparable from Caribbean history, born in sugar cane plantations in the 17th century. Its use in perfumery is more recent, made possible by modern extraction techniques like supercritical CO2, which allow isolating odorous molecules without alcohol.

Uses Then and Now
Emblematic drink of sailors and pirates, then tasting spirit, rum today enters the perfumers' palette to bring gourmand, woody, and amber facets to compositions, especially in oriental and woody families.

The Ingredient's Signature
An amber, gourmand warmth, like a glass of dark rum held up to the light of a Havana bar: rum extract gives the heart a spicy, lively roundness.

Impact
By valuing a by-product of the rum industry, this raw material is part of an upcycling approach, optimizing resource use.

In the silence of the cellar, time does its work, The wood of the oak barrel offers its heritage. The spirit of the cane, a scent of travel, An amber warmth, a sweet beverage.

Rum CO2 extract is a magnificent ingredient because it is incredibly faithful to the smell of the spirit. It has notes of dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, and that typical woodiness of barrel aging. I used it to give a liquorous and textured heart to the perfume, an adult and sophisticated gourmandise.

We wanted the true warmth of Cuba, the smell of a 'bodeguita'. Rum CO2 extract is a technological feat that allows us to capture this sensation authentically. It is the note that brings roundness, warmth, and addiction to Tumbao.

Information is given for indicative purposes. This is an extract intended for cosmetic use, containing no alcohol.

The backbone of Tumbao. Vetiver from Haiti, with its woody, earthy, and subtly smoky facet, anchors the perfume and gives it incomparable depth and elegance.

Origine & récolte
Our adventure takes us to the Les Cayes region, in southern Haiti. It is a story of resilience. Entire communities live off this root. Smelling the powerful scent of the 'beard of the earth' freshly dug up by Behave's partner farmers is a lesson in humility and proof that another sourcing is possible.

History & Origins
Native to India, vetiver was introduced to Haiti where it became an essential crop, both for perfumery and the environment. Its deep roots help effectively fight soil erosion, a major issue for the island.

Uses Then and Now
In India, vetiver roots were woven into mats or curtains that were watered to cool the air. Today, it is a pillar of luxury perfumery, both masculine and feminine, for its structure and elegance.

The Ingredient's Signature
A fresh, earthy root, dry and green at once, like a bale of damp hay: vetiver gives the base a woody, crisp and deeply grounded elegance.

Impact
Vetiver's dense and deep root system is a natural bulwark against soil erosion. By supporting this crop via an ethical supply chain, we actively participate in the regeneration of Haitian agricultural lands.

On the red earth of Haiti's hills, The root dives deep, quiet strength. Its scent of earth, smoke, and rain Is the memory of fertile soil. A journey to the essential, the strength of our roots.

I used a very pure quality of Haitian Vetiver to highlight its roasted hazelnut and grapefruit notes, while mastering its earthy side. That's what gives it this elegance and modernity.

There is no great woody perfume without a great Vetiver. The one from Haiti, sourced by Behave, is for us the most beautiful. It brings this dry and racy structure that balances the roundness of rum and tobacco. It is the signature of longevity and commitment.

Information is given for indicative purposes. A perfume is a cosmetic product. Cannot replace treatment or medical advice.

Far from the smell of cigarettes, tobacco absolute is a material of incomparable richness and warmth. It evokes tobacco leaves dried in the sun, with aromatic, honeyed facets of cut hay and soft leather. A comforting and deeply sensual note.

Origine & récolte
The journey takes us to Bulgaria, where tobacco fields stretch as far as the eye can see. After harvest, the leaves are threaded onto garlands and hung to dry in traditional drying barns. It is this slow drying process that develops the leaf's aromatic complexity, its notes of hay, honey, and dried fruits, before it is sent to France for extraction.

History & Origins
Native to the Americas, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. First a curiosity at the French court ('the Queen's herb'), it quickly became a prized commodity. Its use in perfumery is more selective, reserved for luxury compositions because of its complexity and cost.

Uses Then and Now
While the leaf is globally known for being smoked, its absolute is a treasure for perfumers. It is used to create leathery, amber, or hay notes, bringing unique warmth and depth to perfumes, far from the smell of smoke.

The Ingredient's Signature
The warm scent of a leaf dried in the sun, almost honeyed: blond tobacco absolute lays a soft, slightly powdery warmth on the skin, like the golden light of a salon from another time.

Impact
Supporting high value-added traditional crops like tobacco for perfumery helps maintain agricultural activity in rural areas and preserve unique know-how.

In the barns of the Balkans, golden leaves wait. The sun has ripened them, scents relax. A smell of honey, hay, fertile lands, The promise of comfort flooding the world.

Tobacco absolute is a complex and powerful material. It must be dosed precisely so it doesn't dominate the composition. I used it to create an amber-aromatic base, which supports the woody notes of vetiver and priprioca, while bringing sweetness and almost carnal sensuality.

Tobacco is the 'cashmere sweater' note of Tumbao. We wanted this sensation of comfort and enveloping warmth. Balkan tobacco absolute is the most beautiful, with its honeyed and aromatic notes. It's the base that gives the perfume its unforgettable trail and addiction.

Information is given for indicative purposes. Tobacco absolute used in perfumery is purified and contains only trace amounts of nicotine. Cannot replace medical advice.