Scent Travel Report Egypt

Jasmine, neroli, etc.
Commitment to women and girls

Fragrant plants: Neroli , basil, coriander (Grand Cru) ; jasmine
Growing region: Egypt
Cultivation partner since: 2002
Special features: 450 children attend the village school supported by the foundation; 45,000 people (employees and family members) benefit from the work on the plantations.

Metropolis vs. Nile Delta

Arriving in Cairo, with its over ten million inhabitants, is pure sensory overload: dense traffic and bustling activity at all hours, colorful shops and markets – the World Heritage Site of Old Cairo draws us into its labyrinth of alleys and minarets and envelops us with its kaleidoscope of scents. Quite a contrast to the visit to the Demeter farm, for which we actually embarked on this journey.

The following evening, Hussein, the owner of the Fakhry Aid Foundation, picks us up at the hotel. His wife, Cherifa, has cooked for us at their home on the banks of the Nile and serves us dinner. We have been working with them for years; it's a partnership we truly value. The meal is a feast: colorful, aromatic, and lovingly prepared—a delightful start to what awaits us in the Nile Delta.
Because the very next morning we drive together to Kotour. A three-hour drive through an increasingly rural landscape – then we stand in the middle of an oasis of fragrance and vastness.

For over 200 years, the Fakhry family has been closely connected to the Egyptian town of Kotour in the Nile Delta. In 1955, Hussein's father switched from cotton cultivation to aromatic plants. What once began as a small farm has developed over generations into Egypt's leading producer of essential oils – and a major employer in the region. Bitter orange trees, basil, mints, coriander, and many other aromatic plants are cultivated and distilled here. .

The 2nd generation

In 1997, Hussein took over the farm and converted it to organic and Demeter farming. Together with Cherifa, he built a network of partner farms that today encompasses over 5,000 hectares of organically cultivated land – securing a stable livelihood for countless smallholder farmers. In addition to 55 permanent employees, up to 200 seasonal workers are employed in the fields and the factory. Many other families are indirectly involved as smallholder farmers or through local trade structures – the company thus makes a significant contribution to the economic stability of the region. This close connection to the community continues to shape the company's identity. In 2012, they founded the Fakhry Aid Foundation with the aim of strengthening the rural community surrounding the farm and factory in the long term.

Women and girls in focus

Women and children are at the heart of their work. Daycare centers make it easier for young mothers to return to work. Women receive targeted support to further strengthen their role as producers and decision-makers. Girls are given specific educational opportunities. Training courses and awareness campaigns help them deepen their knowledge and take on new leadership roles – for a fairer, sustainable agriculture in which everyone can participate. Several times a year, the foundation organizes performances and school festivals for the surrounding villages. For many, this is more than just entertainment – ​​it is hope.

Jasmine – Night Queen of the Nile

But back to the fields. A significant portion of jobs and income is generated by harvesting bitter orange and jasmine blossoms, which are often cultivated together. Like the bitter orange tree, which yields neroli, petitgrain from its leaves, and bitter orange oil, jasmine is also deeply rooted in Egyptian culture: Here, it is part of the national identity – it is widespread throughout the country and embedded in everyday life, language, and symbolism.

As early as 4 a.m., the pickers roam the fields. The blossoms develop their full aroma at night – which is why the harvest begins before sunrise. Each blossom is picked by hand – quickly yet carefully, because only the freshly opened flowers yield the essential oil. Approximately 3 to 4 tons of blossoms are processed to produce 1 kg of jasmine essential oil – an almost unimaginable abundance of fragrance. This is why Jasminum grandiflorum is considered one of the most precious fragrant plants in the world. The women take the morning's harvest directly to the processing plant.

Traditionally, jasmine oil is obtained through solvent extraction, resulting in the so-called jasmine absolute with the most intense jasmine notes. However, Hussein and Cherifa's passion for organic products doesn't stop with oil extraction, which is why they also produce jasmine oil using steam distillation: a true organic specialty with a fragrance that is somewhat softer and fresher than jasmine absolute. 

A project with heart and vision

During our stay, we'll be living in a simple wooden house in the middle of the grounds. A communal kitchen provides staff and guests with fresh, nutritious meals. For two days, we'll experience firsthand what it means to combine sustainability, social responsibility, and the highest quality. Fahkry's plantations are more than just a place for fragrant plants – they are a symbol of sustainable change. For example, 480 farmers participate in weekly training sessions on pesticide avoidance, organic farming, and environmental protection.

With hearts full of impressions, we return to Switzerland. What remains is deep respect for the courage and vision of Hussein and Cherifa – and the feeling of being part of a true Grand Cru. 

“For a long time, I carried my olfactory memories from Egypt within me, because good stories always inspire me to create a perfume. Jasmine is one of my favorite scents – and the perfume Jasmine Garden embodies the magic of the Nile Delta and the Orient.”

Jean-Claude Richard, farfalla perfumer