Essential oils are volatile and liquid aroma compounds from natural sources, usually plants.
Essential oils are not oils in a strict sense, but often share with oils a poor solubility in water. Essential oils
often have an odor and are therefore used in food flavoring and perfumery. Essential oils are usually
prepared by fragrance extraction techniques such as distillation (including steam distillation), cold pressing,
or extraction (maceration). Essential oils are distinguished from aroma oils (essential oils and aroma
compounds in an oily solvent), infusions in a vegetable oil, absolutes, and concretes. Typically, essential