I get you “whale vomit” doesn’t exactly sound exciting right, Its gross. But believe it or not, this strange substance, known as “ambergris”, is one of the most valuable natural materials in the world. In 2016 an Omani fisherman had a haul of 80kgs which him a millionaire by fetching him 2.5million dollars. renowned perfumed manufactures have been using this for years, as it initially produces a faecal odour, but with time, its odour changes to sweet and earthy.
Wondering what it is exactly?
Ambergris is a rare, waxy substance that comes from the digestive system of sperm whales. It forms when the whale eats things and can’t digest properly like squid breaks and its body tries to protect itself by surrounding the sharp bits with a fatty, protective coating. Over time, that coating hardens into what we call ambergris. It floats, it hardens, and eventually, it washes up on beaches looking like a greyish rock, sometimes more like a chunk of wax. Despite being gross, the real kicker is that it is being used in world class high end perfumes making the scent last longer adhering to the skin without fading.
That’s why some luxury perfume brands have paid up to $20,000 or more per pound for it. In fact, a few lucky beachcombers have stumbled upon pieces worth over $60,000 lying there in the sand. ambergris was prized by royalty and perfumers for centuries. Even today, it’s sometimes used in artisan or niche fragrances. That said, most commercial perfumes now use synthetic alternatives due to both cost and ethical concerns.
There has been a long history of ambergris being used in food and medicine during the 1600s.this treasure material is banned and restricted in many countries including United states, but in France, UK and in some parts of the Middle East it is legal to sell only if found naturally and not harvested from whales.
next time when you find a blob at the beach before thinking it is sea gold, here are few tips:
It smells pleasant. Think earthy, musky, slightly sweet—not fishy or rotting. It floats. Ambergris is light for its size and will float on salt water. It’s waxy but firm. It may look like a grey, brown, or even black lump. It might have little white lines or cracks and sometimes bits of squid beak inside. Still unsure? Some people test it with a hot needle (it should melt slightly and release a unique smell) .
Nature is full of surprises and ambergris is definitely one of the strangest. Who would’ve guessed that one of the world’s most expensive perfume ingredients starts as a lump of whale digestive goo?
So next time you’re walking along the beach, take a second look at what the tide brings in. You might not find treasure, but you’ll have a great story to tell either way.
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