What Is Celery Sfe?
Celery Sfe is a supercritical CO2 extract obtained from celery seeds. The material entered the fragrance palette in 2002 after advances in green extraction technology made it commercially viable. Because the only solvent involved is carbon dioxide that returns to a gaseous state once the process ends the extract is considered of natural origin.
During production the seeds are placed in a closed vessel and exposed to CO2 that has been pressurised and gently warmed until it takes on fluid-like properties. This fluid dissolves the aromatic molecules without pulling harsh waxes or unwanted notes. Once pressures are released the CO2 vanishes leaving behind a pure liquid extract that retains the full character of the original seeds.
At room temperature the ingredient pours as a clear to pale yellow liquid that is easy to weigh and blend. It is soluble in ethanol and most perfume oils so compounding is straightforward even for hobbyists. Although not as ubiquitous as classic citrus or floral oils it sees solid use in both fine fragrance and functional products where a crisp green accent is desired.
Price wise Celery Sfe sits in the moderate bracket: not a luxury speciality but certainly dearer than commodity aroma chemicals produced in bulk. Perfumers appreciate its cost-effectiveness when they need a natural-sourced green effect without sacrificing purity.
What Does Celery Sfe Smell Like?
This extract is generally filed under the green family. Off a blotter it reveals an unmistakable burst of fresh chopped celery backed by aromatic herbal facets. The first impression is bright and vegetal almost reminiscent of walking through a market stall stacked with celery hearts. Within minutes a subtle spicy warmth surfaces adding a hint of white pepper and parsley while a faint earthy nuance anchors the profile so it never feels watery.
In terms of perfumery structure Celery Sfe performs mainly as a top to early middle note. Its crisp greenness flashes quickly then lingers long enough to bridge into the heart without vanishing outright. Projection sits at a comfortable medium: noticeable yet not overwhelming which makes layering with florals woods or musks straightforward. Longevity on skin is roughly two to three hours before it softens into a quiet herbal whisper.
How & Where To Use Celery Sfe
In the lab Celery Sfe is a pleasure to handle. It stays liquid, pours smoothly and blends without fuss so you are not fighting with stubborn crystals or sludge. The scent pops straight away which makes quick evaluations a breeze.
Perfumers reach for it when a formula needs a fresh green lift that still feels natural rather than metallic or synthetic. At trace levels it brightens citrus openings and leafy florals adding crunch just as a pinch of fresh celery would wake up a salad. Around 0.5-1 percent it can anchor a full green herbal accord alongside galbanum basil or parsley seed giving a market-stall realism that other celery molecules often miss. Push it toward 3-5 percent and the character becomes unmistakably vegetal and spicy great for niche fougères or culinary inspired gourmands but it can start to dominate lighter compositions.
Celery Sfe pairs well with black pepper nutmeg and cedar when you want to steer the profile in a drier spicy direction. With watery florals like lotus or cyclamen it provides a stalk-like backbone that keeps them from feeling flimsy. If the goal is a detergent or candle with a crisp garden nuance the extract survives most bases without turning muddy though high-pH bleach products will blunt its brightness.
On the downside the celery association can read too literal for some consumers so in mass-market work it is best softened with hedione or fruity esters. It also lacks fixative power so you will need woods musks or ambers to carry the theme into the drydown.
No special prep is required beyond giving the bottle a gentle roll to re-homogenise before weighing. It dissolves readily in ethanol and common perfume concentrates but if you plan to dose it into a water-based spray first pre-solubilise in a small amount of alcohol or dipropylene glycol.
Safely Information
Like all fragrance materials Celery Sfe calls for sensible precautions during handling and evaluation.
Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 percent or lower solution on a blotter rather than sniffing neat material
Avoid direct inhalation: do not stick your nose over the open bottle work in a well-ventilated space
Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes
Health considerations: botanical extracts can trigger irritation or allergies in sensitive individuals consult a medical professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding and limit prolonged high-level exposure
Always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check regularly for updates. Follow any International Fragrance Association guidelines that apply to ensure your finished products stay within recommended safe limits.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in optimal conditions Celery Sfe retains its full character for roughly two to three years before subtle dulling sets in. A slight shift in colour or a muted top note is usually the first sign it is past its best rather than a sudden spoilage.
Refrigeration is helpful but not essential. A cool cabinet or cellar that stays below 20 °C, shielded from direct sunlight and away from radiators, is generally fine. Avoid temperature swings that can force moisture to condense inside the bottle.
Choose amber glass with a tight polycone cap for both the neat extract and any dilutions. Dropper bottles breathe too much and invite oxidation. Top up partially used bottles with inert gas or transfer to a smaller container so the headspace is minimal.
Label everything clearly with the material name, concentration and hazard phrases from the SDS. A quick date stamp on both the bottle and outer box makes rotation easy.
For disposal mix small leftover amounts into plenty of warm soapy water then send down a household drain while flushing well. Larger volumes should go to a local chemical waste facility so they do not overwhelm septic systems. The material is readily biodegradable yet still avoid dumping it undiluted into waterways where it could affect aquatic life.
Summary
Celery Sfe is a supercritical CO2 extract of celery seeds that delivers a bright crunchy green aroma with a subtle spicy edge. It shines as a natural top to heart note that lifts citrus, herbs and watery florals or pushes a fougère into fresh market stall territory.
Easy handling, a reasonable price bracket and compatibility with fine fragrance through to household cleaners make it a fun tool for both professionals and hobbyists. Just remember its crisp profile is unmistakable so dose with care, support longevity with woods and musks and store it away from heat and air to keep that garden freshness alive.