Refers to the concentrated fundamental nature of something, or a concentrated extract (e.g., vanilla essence).
This perfume uses flower essences.
彼の言葉には人生のエッセンスが詰まっている。
His words are packed with the essence of life.
The perfume is made by extracting the essence of this flower.
This book has the essence of his thinking condensed into it.
Add vanilla essence to the cookie dough.