How the Indian jasmine infuses perfume houses like Guerlain, Bulgari and Dior

Jasmine's fragrant flowers have been used for millenia in India to honour the gods, and the valuable scent is now being snapped up as an essential ingredient for global perfumes. Photo: AFP

Heady scents fill the air as skilled pickers in India pluck white jasmine before the still fresh buds are rushed for processing into a valuable ingredient for global perfumes.

Jasmine only issues its powerful scent when it blooms at night, and pickers must select only the ones yet to open.