Discover the secrets of making monoï

Did you know that monoï means "fragrant oil" in Polynesian? It's a pure Tahitian product, requiring precise, ancestral know-how to obtain an ideally scented oil. Here are the secrets of monoï production.

Traditional manufacturing, with respect for the elders

L'monoi oil has been around for at least 2,000 years. Even back then, women were busy making this precious oil for massaging infants, moisturizing and protecting their skin, as well as their hair. Over the years, although the manufacturing processes may have changed, the recipe and know-how have remained the same.

The original recipe is very simple, but requires a great deal of knowledge of the basic ingredients, patience and a keen eye. Indeed, Tahitian mamas used to prepare this beneficial concoction themselves. Just before dawn, they would gather sprouted coconuts (Cocos nucifera) and tiare flowers (Gardenia taitensis) from coral soils. When they returned in the early hours of the morning, they set to work. They grated the coconuts to extract the flesh. Squeezing the flesh yielded oil. It was in this oil that the tiare flower buds macerated for several days. Only the mamas knew when the decoction was ready. They kneaded the mixture daily to ensure that the fragrances blended perfectly. Once the oil was ready, the monoï could take its name and find its place in the family.

There was a time when tiare flowers were reserved for the nobility and the king. As a result, mamas made their monoi with vanilla, frangipani or even ylang-ylang flowers to replace the king's flower.

New monoi manufacturing processes

Admittedly, with monoi oil being exported around the world, demand was growing. Production could no longer be carried out in the traditional way. And it was in automating certain stages that solutions were found. However, the manufacturing process itself has changed very little, remaining faithful to the recipes of the Tahitian mamas.

However, for reasons of conservation during exports, etc., coconut oil had to be replaced by copra oil. This is an oil obtained from the kernel of mature coconuts. It is refined to deodorize it and make it easier to store. As a result, it loses many nutrients and some of its original fragrance, and is less beneficial to the skin than virgin coconut oil. This, in itself, is the only difference imposed by the industrialization of the famous monoi oil.

The coconuts used to make monoi oil must be split within 48 hours of harvesting. This operation collects the famous kernel (copra) contained in the coconut. The kernels must then be exposed to the sun for 7 days to dry properly.

Once they contain just 10% moisture, they are sent to the oil mills, where they are ground into flour before being heated to 120°. This is when the copra oil, known as first-press oil, is collected. But to ensure that it can be stored without going rancid, the oil is then refined. Antioxidants are added for this purpose. The flowers are then macerated (10 per liter minimum) for 10 days. At the end of this stage, a final filtration is necessary to obtain the famous monoï. It can then be blended with other local fragrances as required.

Monoi oil can be used in a variety of ways

True monoi oil is usually made from tiare flowers. But it can also be perfumed or neutral. In fact, today's market offers monoi oils with different fragrances and denominations of origin.

Noses differ from country to country. That's why, to appeal to as many people as possible, Tahitians have varied the fragrances of their monoi. This does not mean, however, that the original recipe has been altered - quite the contrary. Some mamas also used this trick when tiare flowers were forbidden or in short supply. In this sense, it makes it possible to diversify the scents and thus vary the pleasures.

In other words, the recipe is always natural. You can find monoï with coconut, vanilla, frangipani flower, ylang-ylang and other natural ingredients.

Want to make your own monoï? Now you can!

Wherever you are in the world, you may be able to make your own monoi oil. However, it will never be identical to the real thing, as it requires fresh products. But the fun remains in making your own... Here's how.

It's best to try it in summer, when coconut oil is liquid. If you don't live where coconuts are readily available, you can use virgin coconut oil directly. Next, you'll need to acquire Tiare flowers in bud for macerating. After ten days or so, you'll be able to coat yourself with homemade monoi!