Gourmand

Shea

Note Profile

Natural

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.

Citrus 0%

Floral 0%

Fruity 0%

Green 0%

Sweet 50%

Warm 10%

Woody 0%

Earthy 15%

Animalic 0%

Fresh 5%

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.

A variety of