Spicy

Mustard Seed

Note Profile

Botanical

About

Mustard seed comes from Brassica species, mainly Brassica nigra and Brassica juncea. The oil is steam distilled or cold pressed, but its strength and regulation limit its use. It smells sharp, pungent and slightly sulphurous, with spicy, green and radish-like notes and can bring a wasabi-like heat. It mellows to a dry, earthy warmth. It is used in trace amounts as a spicy accent.

Scent Profile

Mustard seed has a sharp, pungent, and slightly sulfurous aroma with spicy, green, and radish-like facets. Its scent is volatile and can evoke a wasabi-like heat, mellowing to a dry, earthy warmth as it evolves. The note is distinctive for its biting freshness and vegetal undertones.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeHeart · ~8h lasting

Family Elemental, Spicy

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

What this is made of

Mustard Seed names no single substance

Reconstructed

Isothiocyanate character, on the flavour side of the vocabulary.

How the layers join

Origin

Mustard seed is harvested from various Brassica species, primarily Brassica nigra and Brassica juncea. In perfumery, its essential oil is obtained through steam distillation or cold pressing of the seeds, though use is limited due to its potency and regulatory restrictions.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use mustard seed in trace amounts to add a spicy, piquant accent, typically in top or heart notes. It is often blended with other spices, green notes, or herbal accords to create intrigue and lift in avant-garde or gourmand compositions. Its assertive character requires careful dosing to avoid overpowering other ingredients.