Cloves in perfumery
In This Article
Cloves: A Mysterious and Enchanting Spicy Note
Among spices, cloves stand out as both highly popular and deeply enigmatic. Beyond their association with dentists, cloves evoke the enticing aromas of mulled wine, gingerbread, and candy apples. As part of the spicy olfactory family, cloves contribute powerful, characterful notes to fragrances, and they even have an aphrodisiac edge. Used in both men's and women's perfumes, cloves are primarily found in oriental scents, often paired with other spices such as pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, and of course, cinnamon. One example is Hugo Boss' Boss, where cloves and cinnamon intermingle in the heart notes, creating a signature scent for chic, urban men.
Fun Fact:
- Cloves are actually dried flower buds from the Syzygium aromaticum tree, which is native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
Harmonious Pairings: Cloves and Other Olfactory Families
Cloves harmonize beautifully with woody, floral, and fruity notes. The iconic Coco by Chanel immediately comes to mind when thinking about clove-infused perfumes. Over time, cloves have been found in unexpected combinations, as seen in Kenzo pour Homme by Kenzo. This fragrance features an invigorating marine note, a spicy heart of cloves and nutmeg, and a woody base of sandalwood and cedar, creating a masculine ode to freedom. Kenzo also incorporated cloves into a women's fragrance with Kenzo Jungle. Furthermore, cloves find their way into gourmand perfumes, adding a touch of mystery while still maintaining a strong connection to oriental scents.
Fun Fact:
- Cloves have been used for centuries not only as a spice but also for their medicinal properties, particularly in dental care due to their analgesic and antiseptic qualities.
In perfumery, cloves belong to the spicy olfactory family and are mainly incorporated into oriental fragrances as heart notes. Although the distinctive scent of cloves can pose a challenge for their integration into fragrances, they occasionally create delightful surprises, appearing in woody, aromatic, fruity, or floral scents.
