AMBERGRIS

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Context

The Crime Branch of the Pimpri Chinchwad police has arrested two persons in Pune and seized 550 grams of ambergris, also known as ‘floating gold’.

About

Ambergris, which means gray amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of the protected sperm whales.
They slowly become a solid mass, growing over many years.
The ambergris is said to be passed like feces and has a very strong fecal odour combined with a strong marine odour.
Its value to be somewhere between Rs 1 to 2 crores per kilogram, depending on the purity and quality.
Traditionally, ambergris is used to produce perfumes which have notes of musk.
While there are records of it being used to flavor food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in some cultures in the past, it is rarely used for these purposes presently.