Osmanthus

The osmanthus genus comprises about fifteen small trees with fragrant, even intoxicating white flowers. Not surprising, given that Osmanthus in Greek means “fragrant flower.” Osmanthus is a traditional Chinese flower, an emblematic flower that also grows in Japan. It is highly prized for its fruity apricot-peach aroma. Osmanthus is also blended into green tea, giving it a jasmine tea aroma. The color of the osmanthus flower varies. It is either silvery white, golden orange, or sometimes even red. Osmanthus favors heat combined with cool soil. The flowers are harvested between September and October. Osmanthus is also known as “fragrant olive,” “Chinese olive,” or “tea olive.”

Osmanthus, notes of the rising sun

Osmanthus is truly very rich in fragrances. Its notes are sweet, velvety, dense, and give a texture similar to “peach skin.” Perfume creators have an inexhaustible olfactory palette at their disposal. Osmanthus presents sweet, honeyed, soft, tangy, juicy fragrances, but also floral and animalic ones with leathery facets... An incredible personality! Osmanthus earned its stripes thanks to the perfume “1000” by Jean Patou, renowned for being a bold perfumer. In this floral chypre, osmanthus is positioned as a heart note where it is judiciously paired with violet, rose, and jasmine. With the chypre and woody notes that Jean Patou paired with it, “1000” is an exuberant, unrestrained perfume. Since then, osmanthus has attracted other noses, and many perfumers have created soliflores or solinotes highlighting osmanthus.

The pairing of osmanthus with different olfactory families

Thanks to its many different facets, osmanthus can pair with numerous olfactory families. It is often found in floral perfumes where it can contribute all its own personal notes, already floral and luminous, as in “Eau de Dolce Vita,” by Christian Dior. Here, osmanthus appears as a base note, accompanied by vanilla, which accentuates its sweet aspect. In the opening, the scent of pear enters delicately over citrus notes. The heart remains voluptuous and floral thanks to jasmine and peony. The result is a perfume that could not be more sparkling and simply irresistible. Its carefree, light character earned “Eau de Dolce Vita” its designation as an anti-depression fragrance. Another sparkling perfume, this time pairing osmanthus with spicy notes, is “Kenzo Jungle le Tigre” by Kenzo. A wild accord, yet with notes of softness, “Kenzo Jungle le Tigre” is intended for women who love their freedom. It is a modern and sensual perfume.

An emblematic Chinese shrub, osmanthus offers lovely fragrant flowers. A true treasure for perfumers, osmanthus shines through fragrances as beautiful as they are varied. Very fashionable at present, osmanthus pairs perfectly well with floral, fruity, but also spicy and woody notes... A gentle source of inspiration.