Herbal

Lapsang Souchong Tea

Note Profile

Natural 1 perfume

About

Lapsang Souchong tea in perfumery is renowned for its intensely smoky, woody aroma, reminiscent of campfire or pine-smoked wood due to the traditional smoking process of the tea leaves. It often brings a dramatic, mysterious depth to fragrances, evoking both warmth and a subtle leathery undertone. This note is used to add complexity and intrigue, especially in woody, smoky, or leather-themed scents.

Scent Profile

Lapsang Souchong tea has a distinctive smoky aroma, marked by notes of charred wood, pine tar, and subtle hints of dried fruit. Its scent evolves from an initial burst of campfire smoke to reveal nuances of earthy black tea, resin, and a faint leathery undertone. The smokiness remains persistent, lending a lingering, atmospheric quality to compositions.

Citrus 0%

Floral 0%

Fruity 0%

Green 10%

Sweet 0%

Warm 45%

Woody 30%

Earthy 35%

Animalic 5%

Fresh 0%

Origin

This note is derived from Lapsang Souchong, a black tea from China's Fujian province, where tea leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires. In perfumery, the scent is recreated using natural extracts or through accords built from smoky, woody, and tea-like aroma chemicals to mimic the characteristic profile.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers employ Lapsang Souchong tea primarily in the heart or base of fragrances to impart depth and a dramatic smoky effect. It is often blended with woody, leather, incense, or spicy notes, and can provide contrast in aromatic or citrus compositions. Its role is to add complexity and a mysterious, atmospheric dimension.

A variety of