A concentration of rich aromas hangs in the air of the small production room. The best noses would distinguish fennel as the predominant one. Still, it could be any of the eleven aromas currently comprising the Essentia Azorica range of essential oils, a brand created by the Marques group and part of its youngest and smallest branch, MIA – Marques Inovação & Ambiente.

It wasn’t always like this, explains José Ponte, production director. When it all began, the only raw material used to produce essential oils was cryptomeria, the wood of which has many uses in the Azores. When they realized that, once the trunk had been used, there was a large volume of branches left over, the Marques workers began to think of ways to avoid waste. That’s how they came up with the idea of concentrating its distinctive aroma in small bottles that anyone could take with them, replicating the scent of the Azorean forest anywhere.



The experiment was so successful that they decided to apply it to other plants. Today, the offer ranges from the most universal scents, such as lavender and eucalyptus, to the absolutely exclusive, such as laurel, a species endemic to the Azores. “It’s reminiscent of the laurel we use in the kitchen, but it has a special touch. It’s unique, it’s ours,” says José, who confesses to preferring the more characteristic smells of the region. He adds conteira to his favorites but stresses the difference in collecting the two. It is a species considered to be infesting the archipelago, but it is only harvested. On the other hand, some of the endemic species used in the oils are grown on the company’s land.

This is a cause that José has embraced since his academic career, during which he researched ways of deriving economic benefit from invasive species to add value to both companies and the environment. He recognizes in Marques this commitment to preserving the environment and illustrates it by explaining the process of making essential oils.

Although, at first glance, the trio of silent vessels in the room gives the impression of a complex transformation process, it’s actually simpler than it seems. “The method is steam distillation. We don’t use any chemicals, it’s 100% natural,” says José. After the oils have been extracted into small bottles, part of what’s left over is used for composting on the Marques grounds and given to Musami for the same purpose. Another part is used to make floral waters, usually sold with another of the brand’s products, basalt powder. The process is also purely mechanical and chemical-free, resulting in a natural exfoliant made from the most abundant rock on the Azorean islands. When combined with the floral waters, it can be used as a face mask, and, according to José, it is rich in magnesium and silica and has a purifying effect. Essential oils, meanwhile, are used in aromatherapy because they have potentially beneficial effects that vary according to the aroma.



The production director has one caveat regarding these therapies: “The scientific literature is a little scarce in this area, and the evidence that there are benefits is very much down to what each person feels, which ends up being very subjective,” he stresses. Despite this, she recognizes the advantages of applying these therapies as complements to traditional medicine through the testimonials she receives from clients.

Although anyone can buy these products online or from one of the brand’s resellers, José says that the largest volume of business comes from tourism, especially in hotels and spas. He names two factors as the main ones responsible for this phenomenon. One is related to the product’s longevity, translating into less frequent purchases. Another is that this product is aimed at a niche market that still has little exposure among locals.



“We want our brand to be synonymous with the Azores,” says José. “A small bottle of our oil smells like our forests, our plants. It’s something you can take with you, use in your home and make them remember the Azores. Maybe that memory activation will make them want to come back.”

With just four employees working on Essentia Azorica and the support of the company’s other branches, Marques Inovação & Ambiente wants to keep growing. New aromas yet to be announced are resting at the back of the room in bottles, waiting to be launched, soon ready to be discovered by locals, new visitors, and those returning in search of the essence of the islands.

From Made in the Azores (Marca Açores) in Açoriano Oriental, Paula Gouveia-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.