Spicy

Cumin

Note Profile

Botanical 363 perfumes

About

Earthy, warm spice

Scent Profile

Cumin has a distinctive spicy, earthy aroma with warm, slightly bitter undertones and a hint of animalic, sweaty facets. Its scent is pungent and persistent, evolving from sharp and dry to softer, musky nuances as it dries down. The note can impart a savory, almost leathery depth to fragrances.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeHeart · ~5h lasting

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

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

What this is made of

Cumin seed oil

A natural extract

CAS 8014-13-9

Cumin seed oil (IFRA NCS).

Restricted: An IFRA Standard limits how much of this a perfumer can use the limit applies to the perfumer, not the wearer

These are facts about the substance, not about any perfume with this note.

Why that matters

A perfume that names Cumin can use a different extract, a reformulated version, or a synthetic reconstruction. It can also hold less than the amount that requires a declaration. We cannot tell which applies. These rows cover only the substances we hold a link for.

How the layers join

Origin

Cumin is derived from the dried seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, primarily cultivated in India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. The essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the seeds, which concentrates its volatile aromatic compounds.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use cumin mainly in the heart or base of compositions to add warmth, complexity, and a touch of sensuality. It is often blended with woods, resins, and florals, and is a key component in some oriental, spicy, and chypre fragrances. Its assertive character requires careful dosing to balance its impact.