Why We Source Lavender from the Balkan Mountains

Lavender is grown commercially in Bulgaria, France, Australia, China, the United States, and a number of other countries. The quality varies significantly, and the differences are measurable in the GC/MS data. This article explains why we source our Lavender True from the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria and what the data shows.

Altitude and compound profile

Lavandula angustifolia grown above 1,000 metres in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria consistently produces high linalyl acetate content. Linalyl acetate is the ester responsible for the sweet, slightly fruity character of true lavender and is one of the most studied compounds in the oil. The cooler temperatures at altitude slow the plant's growth and concentrate the ester content in the flower.

High-altitude Bulgarian lavender typically shows linalyl acetate at 40-48% and linalool at 28-36%. French Provence lavender, grown at lower altitudes and in a warmer Mediterranean climate, tends to show slightly lower linalyl acetate. Australian lavender, grown in a warmer climate, often shows lower linalyl acetate and higher camphor than either.

The lavandin problem

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender that produces three to five times more oil per hectare than true lavender. It is significantly cheaper and is frequently used to adulterate or replace true lavender oil. The key difference in the GC/MS data is camphor: lavandin typically shows camphor at 5-10%, while true lavender should show camphor below 1%.

Our current batch

Our Lavender True is sourced from a producer in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria at approximately 1,000 metres altitude. The harvest window is narrow — typically two to three weeks in July — and distillation begins within hours of cutting. The current batch shows linalyl acetate at 42.1%, linalool at 31.8%, and camphor at 0.4%. The full GC/MS report is available on the product page.