There are multiple definitions of the word gourmand, but the one I like the best is by Luxury Scent Box, defining it as “an olfactory dessert.” Gourmand notes in fragrances are from the same palette as food, sweet to savory and can give a fragrance a distinct depth, warmth and complexity. Creating a mouth-watering gourmand fragrance is challenging and exemplifies how a few drops of an ingredient can bring magic and life to a fragrance. Perfumers need to use caution with some ingredients; they are so powerful, they are used in very small dilutions. A touch of these high impact ingredients will make the difference between a scrumptious, stomach-growling creation versus a fragrance that makes you wonder where the gas leak is. The balancing act with raw materials when creating a gourmand fragrance takes experience, but I still like to test the limits and see what new combinations, or how much more of the high impact ingredients I can use, to create new and different mouthwatering gourmands—always hoping to start my own trend.
There are multiple definitions of the word gourmand, but the one I like the best is by Luxury Scent Box, defining it as “an olfactory dessert.” Gourmand notes in fragrances are from the same palette as food, sweet to savory and can give a fragrance a distinct depth, warmth and complexity. Creating a mouth-watering gourmand fragrance is challenging and exemplifies how a few drops of an ingredient can bring magic and life to a fragrance. Perfumers need to use caution with some ingredients; they are so powerful, they are used in very small dilutions. A touch of these high impact ingredients will make the difference between a scrumptious, stomach-growling creation versus a fragrance that makes you wonder where the gas leak is. The balancing act with raw materials when creating a gourmand fragrance takes experience, but I still like to test the limits and see what new combinations, or how much more of the high impact ingredients I can use, to create new and different mouthwatering gourmands—always hoping to start my own trend.
First Interaction
Trends in the food industry many times spark the latest trends in fragrance creations, and those trends vary around the world. I moved to the United States from India in 2015 and began my exploration of a different world of fragrances and trends. My journey started off one autumn in New York City. The cool weather and the leaves starting to turn vivid colors, I stepped into a coffee shop to the intoxicating aroma of spiced pumpkin latte. It was so irresistible, I had to order one. The flavor was refreshing, yet strong, with tempting notes of coffee, pumpkin spice and vanilla. The flavor perfectly complemented the outside weather and the colors of the season. Spiced pumpkin latte was a new flavor for me and little did I know it was one of the major trends in fragrances for the U.S. market during the fall season. I had to experience more, and soon began exploring the gourmand fragrance family in depth by visiting different supermarkets, candle stores, coffee shops and doughnut shops. The most surprising thing for me was to see candles and personal care products with gourmand and edible fragrances. During the fall, I observed an abundance of pumpkin spice, pumpkin latte, apple spice and apple cinnamon fragrances. However, as the winter holiday season approached, cookie and cookie dough, Christmas cookies, gingerbread, candy cane, peppermint and other holiday-themed scents filled the shelves.
For the full article, please check out the Perfumer & Flavorist+ June 2022 issue.
