Cumin

Cumin is an herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. It belongs to the same family as parsley or coriander. It is known by several names, such as white cumin, Moroccan cumin, or false anise. The use of cumin dates back more than 5,000 years. It was mainly used in the mummification process as well as for its medicinal properties. The seeds have a pungent flavor close to anise. In perfumery, the main components used are cuminic alcohol and cuminic aldehyde, which give cumin its distinctive smell.

Cumin, or sensuality reinvented

The spicy olfactory family is very rich in spices. Among them, a distinction is made between warm spices such as cinnamon and clove, and cool spices such as cardamom and coriander. As for cumin, it is a somewhat particular spice, as it brings an animalic note to compositions. A very sensual, strong and tenacious animalic odor, but sometimes also a sweat-like odor. In perfumery, animalic notes are very useful. Not only do they have the ability to fix the other components, but they also enhance their fragrances. Cumin has these capabilities, and when used with precision and sparingly, it always gives perfumes strength and character, as in Le Mâle by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Here, cumin is placed as a heart note, accompanied by cinnamon. These two spices are heightened by orange blossom. Jean-Paul Gaultier's first men's fragrance can be summed up as a very oriental and very sensual composition.

Cumin and its various olfactory pairings

Like its spicy family, cumin is mainly found in oriental, woody or chypre fragrances. It is thus found quite naturally in Arabie by Serge Lutens, an oriental-woody fragrance. Here, cumin is positioned as a heart note, accompanied by cardamom, nutmeg and clove. A very spicy heart that pairs perfectly with woody notes such as labdanum cistus, giving a rich and sun-kissed fragrance. Another oriental fragrance, though with its spicy facet where cumin appears as a top note, is Kenzo Jungle, a women's fragrance by Kenzo. The elephant, Kenzo's emblematic animal, dominates the bottle. Inside, mandarin is surprising at first. A touch of gourmand character is brought by licorice, and the base of the fragrance gives an elusive and incredibly powerful composition.

Cumin, an oriental spice, is mainly used in cooking. Its smell is close to anise, but cumin gives off animalic notes, which makes it a somewhat particular and sensual spice. In perfumery, it is mainly found in oriental, woody and chypre fragrances. It is a raw material still little used in fine perfumery, but one with enormous potential.