Seamus Hammond
Osmanthus is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East and is used much more commonly in fragrances in the East than in the West. The flower has a complex, fruity fragrance with notes of honey, apricot, and leather. Osmanthus absolute is an expensive ingredient in perfumery, but its unique olfactory profile makes it a well-loved one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common use in perfumery | Used in perfumery in the Far East, but less so in the West |
| Symbolism | Symbol of love and romance in the Far East |
| Cost | An expensive ingredient in perfumery |
| Scent | Fruity, floral, apricot, peachy, honeyed, leathery, suede, creamy, milky, cheesy, fermented, earthy, sweet |
| Colour | Golden-orange flowers have the richest scent |
| Culinary uses | Used to flavour sugars, honeys, and jams; also consumed as a tea |
| Health benefits | Believed to improve skin, detoxify the body, and boost lung health |
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What You'll Learn
Osmanthus is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East
In perfumery, osmanthus is a treasured ingredient, often used to create a soft, floral fuzziness that evokes the sensation of velvety fruit skin. Its complexity lies in the subtle nuances it brings to a fragrance, with notes of plums, prunes, and even a hint of leather or suede. This versatility makes it a perfect addition to a wide range of perfumes, from soft leather scents to lactonic floral compositions. The unique olfactory profile of osmanthus makes it an expensive and well-loved ingredient, despite its lesser-known status in Western perfumery.
The scent of osmanthus is often described as intoxicating and captivating, with a fresh and uplifting character. Its fragrance is said to be reminiscent of apricot skin, honey, and even black tea, creating a syrupy and full-bodied aroma. The flower's scent is so unique and complex that it can be challenging to replicate accurately in perfumes, and many fragrances labelled as "osmanthus" may not capture the true essence of the flower.
In the Far East, osmanthus holds a special place in the hearts of many. Its fragrance is not just a scent but a symbol of love and romance, evoking feelings of warmth and affection. The flower's scent is often associated with fond memories and experiences, adding to its romantic allure. The cultural significance of osmanthus in the Far East goes beyond its fragrance, as it is also used in cooking and traditional medicine, further entrenching its importance in the region's culture and daily life.
Osmanthus, with its complex and captivating fragrance, has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Far East, symbolizing love and romance. Its scent evokes a range of emotions and experiences, from the intoxicating scent of blossoms in the air to the fond memories associated with its use in traditional practices. The unique qualities of osmanthus have earned it a place of honour in the hearts and minds of people in the Far East, making it much more than just a pleasant fragrance.
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The golden-orange variety of the flower is most used in perfumery
Osmanthus is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East, and its fragrance is treasured in perfumery for its fruity and subtly complex qualities. The flower is also used in cooking to flavour sugars, honeys and jams, as well as being consumed as a tea in Chinese medicine. Osmanthus blossoms are tiny blooms that adorn larger trees, and they come in a variety of colours, including silver-white, yellow and golden-orange.
The scent of osmanthus has been described as mouth-watering and honeyed, with top notes of apricot and peach. It often adds a floral fuzziness and a palpable softness to perfumes, akin to the skin of velvety fruits. The fragrance is far from one-dimensional, however, as it also has notes of plum, prune and an undercurrent of leather-suede. This makes it a perfect addition to soft leather scents. Osmanthus also has a creamy facet, allowing it to pair well with lactonic flowers such as tuberose, gardenia and frangipani.
While many osmanthus-forward perfumes focus on the leathery aspects of the flower, some fragrances, like Adameku, emphasise the translucent, fruity-jellied scent of the small petals. This gives Adameku a bright, uplifting character, similar to Diptyque's Oyedo. Other perfumes that feature the scent of osmanthus include Passionate Love, which combines osmanthus with oud for a pungent, apricot-skin suede fragrance with a whiff of fermentation.
Despite the variety of osmanthus fragrances available, some people who are familiar with the flower's scent claim that none of the perfumes smell like the blossoms they remember.
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Osmanthus has a honeyed, apricot-peach top note
Osmanthus is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East, and its fragrance is treasured in perfumery for its fruity and subtle complexities. The golden-orange variety of the flower is said to produce the best scent when extracted. Osmanthus absolute is an expensive raw material for perfumers, but its unique olfactory profile makes it a well-loved ingredient.
The osmanthus fragrance has a honeyed, apricot-peach top note. It has been described as mouth-watering, with a fruity-floral scent and a velvety, soft, and palpable feel. The apricot scent is likened to the skin of a ripe apricot, with a leathery aspect. The honeyed aspect of the fragrance is also prominent, with some describing it as a honeyed dessert. The combination of honey and apricot creates a juicy, sweet, and fruity scent.
The osmanthus flower is also said to have a faintly cheesy fruitiness, with a hint of fresh dill. This is accompanied by an undercurrent of leather and suede, adding depth to the fragrance. The leather notes are likened to football jerseys and the inside of a Halloween mask, creating a unique and exotic perfume.
The osmanthus scent is often used in perfumery to create a floral fuzziness and a soft, fruity feel. It pairs well with lactonic flowers like tuberose, gardenia, and frangipani. Osmanthus is also combined with jasmine and other flowers to create a well-rounded and appealing fragrance.
The fragrance of osmanthus is complex and intriguing, with a range of notes that come through at different times. It is a challenging scent to replicate in perfumery, and many fragrances that feature osmanthus do not accurately capture its true scent. However, some perfumes, like Osmanthus by The Different Company and Di Ser's Adameku, are said to come close to the real thing.
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The flower is consumed as a tea in Chinese medicine
Osmanthus is a beloved ingredient in perfumery, cooking, and medicine. While it is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East, it is lesser known in the West. The flower is consumed as a tea in Chinese medicine, as it is believed to improve skin health, detoxify the body, and boost lung health.
Osmanthus tea is derived from the tiny blooms that adorn larger trees, which bear silvery-white, yellow, or golden-orange flowers. The golden-orange flowers are most commonly used in perfumery due to their rich fragrance and vivid colour, which result from their higher concentration of carotenoids.
The scent of osmanthus is complex and multifaceted. It is often described as fruity, with notes of apricot, plum, and prune. It also has a honeyed sweetness, reminiscent of apricot or peach skin, that lends a soft, floral fuzziness to perfumes. This honeyed aspect can be further accentuated when paired with Turkish Rose Otto and Hawaiian or Australian Sandalwood.
The leathery-suede notes in osmanthus fragrances are also notable, adding a depth that pairs well with lactonic flowers like tuberose, gardenia, and frangipani. The flower's scent also has an earthy, forest-like quality, with hints of olive and dill, that can be emphasised by the addition of Turkish Rose Otto and Sandalwood.
The tea made from osmanthus flowers is said to have a translucent, fruity-jellied scent, with a softly dirty, almost sour note in the background. This tea fragrance is also described as apricot-like, with a syrupy and full-bodied character. The tea notes in osmanthus perfumes are often compared to dark, strongly brewed Chinese tea.
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Osmanthus absolute is an expensive raw material for perfumers
Osmanthus absolute is a costly raw ingredient for perfumers, but it is a well-loved one. The osmanthus flower is a symbol of love and romance in the Far East and is much more commonly used in perfumery there than in the West. The golden-orange variety of the flower is most commonly used in perfumery because it produces the best scent when extracted. Osmanthus has a unique olfactory profile, with a mouth-watering, honeyed, apricot-peach top note. It is often used to create a kind of floral fuzziness and a palpable softness akin to the skin of velvety fruits.
The flower also has notes of plum, prune, and an undercurrent of leather and suede, making it a perfect addition to soft leather scents. It pairs well with lactonic flowers like tuberose, gardenia, and frangipani. Osmanthus also has a luscious creamy facet, and its black tea undertones create an odd chiaroscuro effect. Its scent is described as intoxicating, with a translucent, fruity-jellied scent of small petals.
The complexity of osmanthus's scent makes it a challenging ingredient to work with. Perfumers must rely on their skill and experience to capture its essence in their compositions. The result is that many osmanthus-forward fragrances focus on the leathery aspects of the flower rather than the fruity notes. This is likely because the fruity notes are harder to capture and are often overpowered by the leather notes.
Despite the challenges, osmanthus is a treasured ingredient in perfumery for its ability to create complex and intriguing fragrances. Its unique scent profile makes it a valuable addition to a perfumer's palette, even if it comes at a high price.
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Frequently asked questions
Osmanthus has a fruity, floral scent with notes of apricot, honey, and leather.
Some perfumes that smell like osmanthus include:
- Osmanthus by The Different Company
- Good Girl Gone Bad by Kilian
- Oudh Osmanthus by Mona di Orio
- Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum
- Osmanthus Interdite by Parfum d'Empire
- Inlé by Memo Paris
Osmanthus is used in perfumery and as an ingredient in cooking. It is also consumed as a tea in Chinese medicine, believed to improve skin, detoxify the body, and boost lung health.
Osmanthus is native to East Asia, specifically Japan and China, where it is the emblem flower of Hangzhou.
Osmanthus is derived from Greek, with 'osme' meaning 'fragrant' and 'anthos' meaning 'flower'.
