Chemical Properties
Dihydrocarveol has a spearmint-like odor.
Occurrence
Reported found (free or esterified) in the essential oils Mentha longifolia, Mentha verticillata, Artemisia juncea, caraway (Mentha virdis var. sativa) cultivated in Calabria, spearmint oil and spearmint scotch oil. Also reported found in black
tea, dill herb, celery leaf and stalk, caraway seed and rosemary.
Uses
Occasionally used in perfume compositions, mainly as a trace ingredient in heavy floral types, Gardenia, Tuberose, and in Geranium bases, woody complexes, etc. It blends well with the lonones, Sandalwood oil, the “Rose” alcohols, etc. This alcohol finds more usc in flavor compositions, mainly for imitation Pepper, Caraway, Mint (compositions), Spice blends and in various Liqueur flavors. The concentration in aicoholic beverages may be as high as 500 ppm.
Definition
ChEBI: A p-menthane monoterpenoid that is the dihydro derivative of carveol.
Preparation
By reducing carvone and separating the resulting isomers
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 15 ppm: green mint with sweet weedy spicy nuances
Safety Profile
A moderate skin and
eye irritant. A combustible liquid. When
heated to decomposition it emits acrid
smoke and irritating fumes.
