5 Unexpected Trending Spices in Perfumery
There are some very unexpected spices trending in perfumery this season, notes you wouldn’t expect to appear in global launches. And ingredients that are adding character and contrast to floral, amber and gourmand eaux de parfums.
1 Sesame
Sesame has a warm, nutty and slightly sweet aroma, often described as having the smell of caramelised hazelnuts with hints of coffee. It can even have earthy undertones. Perfumers describe it as an unsweetened gourmand note. What is exciting is that sesame have been primarily used in food flavourings and preparation up until now. But that has all changed for 2025. This ingredient is trending as a major ingredient in perfumery.
2 Carrot Seed
Here’s an ingredient that we didn’t expect to see appear in both men’s and women’s fragrances. Carrot seed oil is described as having a woody, earthy and slightly sweet aroma with a fresh, green overtone. Perfumers like it because it blends very well with other woody, earthy and floral notes – particularly iris, violet and cedarwood. Did you know that carrot seed has iris rhizome characteristics and is in fact, often substituted for the costlier orris (iris root).
3 Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a spice we all know from baking recipes, particularly pumpkin spice recipes. It actually has a complex olfactory profile with a warm, spicy, slightly woody and sweet smell. You can also detect a hint of musk and tobacco in nutmeg. You’ll find this spice in heart notes to add warmth and depth to a fragrance composition.
4 Cardamom
When perfumers want to add a warm and slightly spicy facet to a men’s or women’s fragrance, they will often reach for cardamom. It has a spicy and slightly sweet smell with notes of mint and citrus. There is a crisp freshness thanks to woody and balsamic undertones.
5 Pink Pepper
The name pink pepper is a little deceiving in perfumery as this versatile ingredient isn’t overly spicy like black pepper. Pink pepper has a fresh, spicy and subtly sweet aroma with both rosy and fruity facets. It adds a soft piquancy to fragrances by allowing floral and woody notes to shine through in a clear way. You’ll find this spice in both men’s and women’s fragrances.
2 Comments
Linda L
April 3, 2025 at 3:36 pmVery surprised that carrot seed and sesame are used in fragrances but once you’ve read their description, it does make sense. Thanks for this info!
Liz Howard
April 1, 2025 at 5:37 pmVery interesting, especially the carrot seeds!
@WhatsupLiz