Spicy

Saffron

Note Profile

Natural 1736 perfumes

Also Known As

Crocus

About

Precious, metallic spice

Scent Profile

Saffron has a distinctive spicy aroma with metallic, leathery, and slightly honeyed nuances. Its scent can be both warm and dry, sometimes evoking hay or tobacco as it evolves. The note is complex, with a subtle bitterness and a lingering, radiant quality.

Citrus 0%

Floral 5%

Fruity 0%

Green 0%

Sweet 15%

Warm 65%

Woody 5%

Earthy 25%

Animalic 30%

Fresh 0%

Origin

Saffron is derived from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, primarily cultivated in Iran, India, and Spain. The stigmas are carefully hand-harvested and dried, making saffron one of the most labor-intensive and costly spice ingredients.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use saffron mainly as a heart note, where it imparts warmth and depth to spicy, oriental, and leather compositions. It blends well with oud, rose, amber, and woody notes, often providing a luxurious and distinctive signature.