This glossary explains the words you will see on Monoi Tiki Tahiti labels, product pages and guides, in plain English. Every definition comes from the bottle label, the Monoi de Tahiti appellation decree or our own guides. For all the key facts in one place, see Monoi Facts.
Monoi
Monoi (pronounced mo-NOY) is refined coconut oil in which fresh tiare flowers have been soaked until the oil takes on their scent. In the Tahitian language, monoi simply means "scented oil." Read more in What is monoi oil?
Monoi Tiki Tahiti (Monoi Tiare Tahiti)
Monoi Tiki Tahiti, also sold as Monoi Tiare Tahiti, is the monoi made by Parfumerie Tiki in Papeete, Tahiti. Both names refer to the same oil. Every bottle holds a dried tiare flower, the mark of a genuine Tiki monoi.
Tiare
Tiare is the Tahitian gardenia, a small white star-shaped flower and the national flower of Tahiti. Its blossoms give monoi its scent. See What does tiare smell like?
Gardenia taitensis
Gardenia taitensis is the botanical name of the tiare flower. Ingredient labels spell it Gardenia tahitensis, which is the INCI (international cosmetic ingredient) form of the same name.
Monoi de Tahiti Appellation d'Origine (AO)
Monoi de Tahiti is a protected appellation of origin under Decree 92-340 of April 1, 1992. It requires Polynesian coconuts and tiare flowers, at least 10 flowers per liter of refined oil soaked for at least 10 days, and at least 90% refined copra oil in the finished monoi. The Monoi de Tahiti association calls it the first cosmetic product to obtain an appellation of origin. In the United States it is a registered certification mark.
Maceration (enfleurage)
Maceration, also called enfleurage, is the slow soak of tiare buds in refined coconut oil that gives monoi its scent. Under the appellation rules, the flowers are picked in bud, used within one day of harvest and soaked for at least 10 days.
Copra
Copra is dried coconut kernel. For Monoi de Tahiti, the kernels are sun-dried for at least a week, then given a single warm pressing at no more than 125°C, and the oil is refined. Read more in Monoi and the Coconut Palm Tree.
Parfumerie Tiki
Parfumerie Tiki is the maker of Monoi Tiki Tahiti, based in Papeete, Tahiti. It has made monoi commercially since 1942 and was the first company to do so.
Papeete
Papeete is the city on the island of Tahiti, in French Polynesia, where Parfumerie Tiki makes every bottle and bar of Monoi Tiki Tahiti.
Tamanu
Tamanu oil is pressed from the nut of the tamanu tree (Calophyllum inophyllum), called kamani in Hawaii. Monoi Tiki Tahiti Tamanu is about 90% monoi with about 10% cold-pressed tamanu oil. See Tamanu monoi oil.
Pitate
Pitate is the Tahitian name for jasmine, called pikake in Hawaii. Monoi Tiki Tahiti Pitate, created in the 1970s, is the boldest scent in the line. See Jasmine (pikake) body oil.
Tipanie
Tipanie (sometimes written tipanier) is the Tahitian name for plumeria, also called frangipani. Monoi Tiki Tahiti Tipanie is the most subtle scent in the line. See Plumeria (frangipani) body oil.
Dried tiare flower
Every bottle of Monoi Tiki Tahiti oil holds a dried tiare flower, the mark of a genuine Tiki monoi.
Hardening (solid monoi)
Monoi hardens below 68°F (20°C), as the label says. Warm the bottle in your hands or in warm water and it turns back to oil, with no effect on the oil. Do not use a microwave.
Hawaiian Resources Co.
Hawaiian Resources Co., Ltd. in Honolulu is the official U.S. importer of Monoi Tiki Tahiti and runs monoi.com. Orders ship from Honolulu, Hawai'i.
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