Today Lemon Grass fonds are pressed into the basket of the Vat. A natural seal is made from a dough paste of flour and water. The steam distillation can begin. A fire is lit under the still. Wisps of smoke rise from the chimney. The heat from the fire gets to work and the Vat is pressurised.
The process takes some time to complete. Eventually the steam carrying the oil droplets passes through the water tank and is cooled in the copper coil. The first drops of Lemon Grass essential oil start to appear from the distilling unit! The essential oil naturally seperates into a floating layer above the water and this precious tiny amount of oil is carefully drawn into a syringe.

Essential Oil Distillation