Leading fragrance company CPL Aromas launches the latest addition to its fragrance palette: Arabian Moringa – a delicate floral scent inspired by the Arabian Moringa (Moringa Peregrina) plant native to the rocky wadis and dry areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
Locally known as Shu’a, the Arabian Moringa tree is valued for its traditional use in medicine and diverse applications in perfumery and food. In collaboration with environmental charity Emirates Nature-WWF, this exciting project celebrates the region’s heritage and natural beauty, while also encouraging the cultivation of the native Arabian Moringa tree in rural areas with strong benefits for local communities and biodiversity.
The fragrance was launched at a wholesome event held at the Arabian Moringa farm on the 16th of January 2025, where 30 esteemed guests discovered the remarkable two-year journey of honouring traditional ingredients in the sustainable and innovative creation of the extraordinary scent. Esteemed guests who had the exclusive opportunity to experience the delicate white and green floral notes of the Arabian Moringa fragrance include local farmers and members of the community.
The Unique Fragrance Journey
In late 2022, an exploration of UAE’s rich native plants sparked the idea of creating an AromaSpace of the Arabian Moringa tree, leveraging CPL Aroma’s technology that blends nature-inspired creativity, science, and innovation to create unique, natural-smelling fragrances that do not harm natural material.
In parallel, Emirates Nature-WWF was exploring potential Nature-based Solutions that drive the protection, restoration and sustainable management of natural ecosystems while also enhancing climate resilience, supporting biodiversity, and introducing new sources of income for local communities. The fast-growing Arabian Moringa tree was identified as a strong Nature-based Solution that acts as a natural carbon sink, supports bees and other pollinators, and produces edible tubers, oil-bearing seeds, and nutritious leaves with medicinal properties.
Emirates Nature-WWF promotes the cultivation of this ‘miracle tree,’ which has adapted to the high temperatures and variable rainfall, to add resilience to traditional agriculture and open doors for new nature-friendly business opportunities for rural communities. The charity works with local farmers to conduct trials of Arabian Moringa in the Hajar Mountains and has constructed a greenhouse nursery for native trees at the moringa reserve in Dibba, Fujairah with the capacity to grow and house more than 2,000 saplings.
In 2024, Emirates Nature-WWF connected the CPL Dubai team with Emirati farm owner Rashid Obaid Al Maszrouei to initiate sampling of the fragrant white and pink Moringa flowers. The teams set off to the farm to calibrate the equipment and meticulously collect fragrant molecules, which were then transported to the CPL UK lab for analysis.
The collected aromatic compounds were analysed, and CPL’s expert perfumers, led by Senior Dubai-based perfumer, Kevin Mathys, worked to recreate a note that authentically captured the essence of the Moringa flowers. The process involves not just scientific analysis, but the artistry of perfumery, ensuring that the fragrance mirrors the sensation of smelling fresh flowers in nature. The final fragrance note underwent a series of approvals from a panel of perfumers and fragrance developers before being introduced into CPL Aroma’s fragrance creations palette.
Rawya Catto, General Manager of CPL Aromas FZE commented: “By partnering with the ENWWF to raise awareness of the UAE’s unique flora, we are not only introducing new, captivating scents to the world but also honouring local heritage, supporting sustainable practices, and empowering communities to preserve the beauty of nature for generations to come.”
Laila Mostafa Abdulatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with Mr. Rashid Al Mazrouei- the owner of the Moringa farm- and CPL Aromas on this unique and innovative project that presents the Arabian Moringa fragrance from the UAE to the global audiences. The initiative celebrates the rich heritage of the native Arabian Moringa tree, traditionally renowned for its diverse applications, and underscores the power of collaborating with the local community, entrepreneurs and industry experts to develop and market new sustainable products that support environmental conservation and drive local economic growth.”
The Emirati farm owner Rashid Obaid Al Maszrouei commented: “I am humbled by this incredible opportunity to share the refreshing scent of Arabian Moringa from the UAE to the rest of the world. This marks the first fragrance developed on my farm and it has inspired us to view our natural heritage with a new lens, unlocking countless possibilities. I am grateful for this collaboration with CPL Aromas and Emirates Nature-WWF and would like to extend my sincere thanks to Emirates Nature-WWF for their invaluable support, which has helped increase our plants by 700%.
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