Essential Oils

These are concentrated solutions of the flavour or aroma compounds of a plant. Essential’ means they come from a single source and are not blended with another aroma. The oils from aromatic plants or spices are obtained mostly by distillation, and citrus peel oils mainly from expression (pressing). As these oils are concentrated, they must be used with care, and I prefer to add them at the end of cooking as temperature can affect the volatile aroma compounds, changing or dulling them. They are available from single-source producers of ingredients, health food or specialist ingredient stores or online.