What Does Lotus Flower Smell Like?

What does lotus flower smell like?

Lotus flower is one of the most fascinating floral ingredients used in modern perfumery. That’s because it has a delicate, floral aroma that is described as sweet and floral with a green and herbaceous facet. It’s an ideal flower for a fragrance that is light, clean and airy.

Lotus is a species of aquatic plant in the family of Nymphaeaceae that produces sculptural blooms that float on the water’s surface amid round leaves in vibrant emerald hues. The plant is adapted to grow in the flood plains of slow-moving rivers and delta areas where a single plant can drop hundreds of thousands of seeds every year to the bottom of the pond. Remarkably, the seeds can remain dormant for years and years during droughts. The minute the rains return, the seeds break open, rehydrate and start growing again. It’s no wonder the Chinese regard the lotus as a symbol of longevity.

There are three ways in which perfumers can use lotus flower: an absolute, an essential oil or an infusion. An absolute uses solvents to extract the aroma from the blooms and produces a highly concentrated scent. Essential oils, on the other hand, use a process of steam distillation to draw out the airy floral scent. These raw materials are slightly less intense than absolutes. If a perfumer is looking for a milder lotus aroma, he or she may choose an infusion which obtains the scent by soaking the lotus flower in a carrier oil. One of its greatest benefits is its ability to blend seamlessly with other blooms such as ylang-ylang and jasmine. It also works well with vanilla and sandalwood.

One of the most fascinating facts about this plant is the flowers are capable of producing ink which is used by artists in southern Asia to produce abstract images.

Here are four of our favourite fragrances that feature lotus flower:

Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline

This gentle and airy floral for her was created by perfumer Alberto Morillas who was inspired by the perfection of crystal. He blends soft bamboo, smooth nashi fruit, lotus blossom and woods. It’s subtle, clean and comforting.

Versace Bright Crystal

Master perfumer Alberto Morillas skillfully blends juicy pomegranate and refreshing yuzu citrus with delicate floral notes of magnolia, peony and lotus to beautiful effect. He then adds amber and smooth mahogany to warm the scent and give it a chic and elegant dry down. This light floral scent is ideal for daytime wear.

Van Cleef & Arpels Neroli Amara Eau de Parfum

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Neroli is a fresh green-floral scent for him or her. Perfumer Quentin Bisch mixes high quality citrus notes with rich orange blossom, cypress and juicy pear. White musk adds a softness in the dry down.

Bvlgari Eau Parfumee Au The Vert (Green Tea)

This clean citrus-aromatic fragrance for her or him was created by Master Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena to relax and soothe guests at Bvlgari’s luxury resorts and spas. He skillfully blends notes of green tea, refreshing bergamot, beeswax, Bulgarian rose and sandalwood. The result is a calming, gentle scent.

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