Apparently, Bitter Almond essential oil is illegal to sell in the US because it is some sort of precursor for illicit drugs and it is quite poisonous. I’d really like to make Queen Charlotte’s favorite snuff: Ambergris, Bitter Almond, and Green Tea. I’ve got real ambergris (which is the most amazing stuff I’ve ever smelled in my life, bar none), and I’ve got green tea, but I cannot find a source of bitter almond anywhere. Does anyone know of a source, or of a non-artificial substitute that will get me as close as possible to the real bitter almond scent? I’ve never smelled the stuff.
It will probably have a high concentration of cyanide. Almonds, and to a greater extent -peach seeds, all have cyanide.
I have little understanding of chemistry. If I scent a snuff with, say, apricot or peach seeds, will the cyanide get in the snuff? Is the cyanide the scent itself? I remember reading in mystery novels that cyanide poisoning smells like almonds.
Try substituting Amaretto di Saronno for the bitter almond extract. May be too sweet, though. The best thing to do is to buy pure (not imitation!) almond extract at the grocery store. Reduce in a pan until the alcohol is gone. You’ll be left with bitter almond oil. Use very little! It is quite strong in flavor. Here is the product info page for McCormick Pure Almond Extract: [quote]Ingredients WATER, ALCOHOL (36%), AND OIL OF BITTER ALMOND. [/quote]
Ok, now you have to tell us how to get ambergris! I think I have some of that almond oil in the spice cupboard.
None there. Drat. If you just use seeds you don’t have to worry about cyanide. Breaking some in half and leaving them in snuff might add some light scent. You really need the concentrated essence. Just be careful if you use the almond oil.
you can find ambergris here [url]http://www.ambergris.co.nz/buy.htm[/url]
Eighty dollars for four grams! Yay.
Whale vomit is hard to get lol
Thanks! I didn’t realize the almond extract was in fact bitter almond. When I get around to making some, I’ll let you know how it turned out. I just realized that except for Americans and toasts, I have no unscented snuff left. Time to place yet another order!
I wouldn’t worry about any negative effects from bitter almond oil obtained from reduced almond extract. The prussic acid has already been burned out of the bitter almonds during the process used to manufacture the extract. This is also why you don’t have to worry about cyanide poisoning from drinking amaretto or eating marzipan. No, I do not recommend that anyone attempt to make their own extract.
I’ve smelled artificial ambergris scents and they just never have the same effect as the real thing. The scent of the real stuff in itself is intoxicating. But I’ve made ambergris snuff on its own and its a bit overpowering. It’s all you can smell for half a day. I little goes a long, long way when scenting snuff.
@badbusinessman: If you are interested, I have found some Bitter Almond Oil at a local Apothecary.
You have apothacaries? What year is it there? See if they carry Philospher’s Stones. I’ve always wanted one of those.
Right now it’s 1253 A.D.
Thanks for the offer cstokes4! I ordered some high quality almond extract and (when I ever get the time) I’m going to try that first.
Ill second that order of a Philospher’s Stone lol
Eye of newt, and toe of frog for me please.
And some fixed mercury!