Gourmand

Purple Yam

Note Profile

Botanical 1 perfume

Also Known As

Ube

About

Purple yam, also called ube, is a tuber native to Southeast Asia and grown mainly in the Philippines. It is not distilled, so the scent is recreated with lactonic, vanilla-like and nutty molecules. It smells sweet, creamy and lightly nutty, like baked goods and vanilla custard, with earthy tones and caramelised sugar. It is used in the heart or base of gourmand blends.

Scent Profile

Purple yam has a sweet, creamy, and subtly nutty aroma reminiscent of baked goods and vanilla custard. Its scent carries earthy undertones with hints of caramelized sugar and a faint vegetal nuance. As it evolves, it reveals a soft, milky warmth that lingers gently.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeHeart · ~5h lasting

Family Sweet & Gourmand, Woody & Earthy

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

What this is made of

Purple Yam names no single substance

Reconstructed

Not extracted.

How the layers join

Origin

Purple yam, also known as ube, is a tuber native to Southeast Asia and is primarily cultivated in the Philippines. In perfumery, its scent is typically recreated using accords of lactonic, vanillic, and nutty molecules, as the natural tuber is not directly distilled for fragrance use.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use purple yam accords mainly in gourmand compositions to impart a creamy, dessert-like character. It is often placed in the heart or base of a fragrance, blending well with vanilla, coconut, tonka bean, and soft woods. Its unique profile adds depth and a playful sweetness to modern olfactory creations.