What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated extracts of volatile, non-water soluble aroma compounds derived from plants. These compounds are often responsible for the distinctive scents of various plants and can be obtained from different parts of a plant, including leaves, flowers, bark, stems, and roots. The extraction processes, such as steam distillation or cold pressing, capture the aromatic compounds while maintaining their unique properties.

The nature of essential oils as volatiles means they readily evaporate at room temperature, which contributes to their strong aromas. Additionally, the fact that they are non-water soluble allows them to mix with oils rather than water, making them suitable for use in fragrance, cosmetics, and aromatherapy.

The other options do not accurately describe essential oils. Concentrated extracts from fruits may imply juice or pulp rather than the specialized aromatic compounds characteristic of essential oils. Pure chemical compounds do not encompass the complex mixture of multiple aromatic compounds found in essential oils. Lastly, artificial flavor additives are synthetic, not derived from plant sources, and their purpose differs from natural essential oils, which are sought for their fragrance and therapeutic properties.