Gourmand

Shea

Note Profile

Natural 1 perfume

Also Known As

Shea butter, Shea Nut

About

Shea has a soft, creamy, and slightly nutty aroma with hints of sweetness. In fragrances, it brings a comforting, buttery facet that can evoke the scent of rich body creams, warm pastries, or subtle edible notes, adding smoothness and depth to gourmand compositions.

Scent Profile

Shea has a gentle, creamy aroma with subtle nutty and buttery undertones, accompanied by a mild sweetness. Its scent is soft and enveloping, often reminiscent of warm pastry or rich body creams. Over time, it maintains a smooth, comforting character without sharpness or pronounced volatility.

ScentWheel

Breadthmedium

Origin

Shea is derived from the nuts of the Vitellaria paradoxa tree, native to West and Central Africa. The nuts are harvested, dried, and cold-pressed or solvent-extracted to yield shea butter, which is then refined for use in perfumery. The aromatic fraction is typically obtained during the butter's processing or as a natural isolate.

Usage in Perfumery

In perfumery, shea is used primarily as a gourmand heart or base note to impart creaminess and roundness. It blends well with vanilla, tonka bean, praline, and soft woods, enhancing edible accords and lending a plush texture to compositions. Shea can also soften sharper notes and add depth to both sweet and floral fragrances.