Saffron in perfumes: preciousness – origin, fragrance & price

Saffron, considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, has also found a special place in perfumery. This precious spice gives perfumes a spicy and oriental touch that delights the senses. Along with oudh, ambergris, tuberose, rose oil, it is one of the most expensive perfume oils.

Saffron origin

  • Botanical origin: Saffron comes from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) and has been cultivated for thousands of years.
  • Geographical distribution: The main areas of saffron cultivation are the Middle East, India, Spain and Greece.

Saffron scent

The scent of saffron is warm, spicy and slightly earthy. It exudes an oriental sensuality reminiscent of dry earth, hay and flowers. The main fragrance notes of saffron are:

  • Spicy: Saffron adds a distinctive spicy note to perfumes that can be reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves.
  • Earth: An earthy note provides depth and complexity to the aroma.
  • Floral: Saffron can have subtle floral nuances that provide an interesting contrast to the spice.

Use of saffron in perfumes

Saffron is a valued ingredient in perfumery and is often used in oriental and spicy fragrances. Perfumers appreciate the versatility of saffron as it introduces a unique warmth and sensuality to perfumes. Some well-known perfumes that contain saffron are:

  • Tom Ford Sahara Noir: An opulent perfume that combines saffron with frankincense and other spices to create an intense oriental fragrance.
  • By Kilian Sacred Saffron: This fragrance emphasizes the spicy and floral aspects of saffron, giving it an elegant and mysterious note.
  • Le Labo Benjoin 19: Saffron is combined with benzoin, vanilla and ambroxan in this perfume to create a warm and beguiling fragrance signature.

Saffron extraction

The extraction of saffron is laborious and requires a lot of manual work. The dark red stigmas of the saffron flowers must be carefully picked by hand, and it takes thousands of flowers to extract just a few grams of saffron. This laborious process contributes to the high cost of this precious spice.

Saffron: The golden spice

Saffron is a unique and precious ingredient in the world of perfumes. Its spicy, warm and oriental aroma gives fragrances a distinctive and beguiling note. Although the extraction of saffron is laborious and involves high costs, its contribution to perfumery is undeniable. Perfumes containing saffron are characterized by sensuality and elegance and captivate perfume lovers around the world.

The most expensive oils in perfumes!

Along with oudh, ambergris, tuberose, rose oil it belongs to the: