Cananga

Note Profile

Botanical 5 perfumes

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About

The complete, single-pass distillate of the Java ylang tree. Heavier, woodier and greener than ylang-ylang, with a leathery, balsamic undertone.

Scent Profile

Cananga smells like a heavier, woodier ylang. It opens woody and leathery over a sweet, fresh floral note. A green, leafy edge runs alongside. The heart is a sweet white flower with a soft spice. It dries down warm, balsamic and slightly creamy.

ScentWheel

Breadthbroad

EnvelopeBase · ~36h lasting

Family Floral, Woody & Earthy, Amber · Musk · Leather

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

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Materials That Can Make This Note

Perfumers can make Cananga from this natural extract.

Natural extract Cananga oil leathery · balsamic · floral

Smell words come from published sources.

Allergens perfumes with this note can list: Ylang-ylang

A given perfume with this note may use this material, or something else, and may or may not contain the allergens above.

Origin

Cananga oil is distilled from the flowers of Cananga odorata forma macrophylla, mainly in Java. It is the same species as ylang-ylang, a different form. The processing is the real difference. Ylang-ylang is fractionally distilled into Extra, First, Second and Third grades. Cananga is distilled in one run and sold as one complete oil, from the lightest floral top to the heaviest balsamic base. The oil is rich in sesquiterpenes. Beta-caryophyllene is the main compound, and can reach 30 per cent or more.

Usage in Perfumery

Used in soap perfumery, where it holds up better than ylang-ylang, and for leathery notes in men's fragrance. It also goes into fougère bases, functional fragrance and as a cheaper alternative to ylang-ylang. It is strong and can dominate a formula if overdosed.