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Carrot Seeds: A Surprising and Delightful Addition to Perfumery
As unexpected as it may seem, the note of carrot, specifically carrot seeds, creates powdery facets with lovely woody, floral, or even oriental scents. Let's explore the fascinating world of carrot seeds in perfumery.
Fun Fact: The carrot we know today, with its vibrant orange color, was developed by Dutch farmers in the 16th century. They selectively bred existing carrot varieties to create the orange carrot as a tribute to the House of Orange, a French Protestant kingdom.
The Carrot: A Versatile Umbellifer with Multiple Qualities
Belonging to the umbelliferous family along with parsley and fennel, carrots were discovered over 5,000 years ago in the wild in Afghanistan. Initially available in brown, white, green, or yellow varieties, the carrot was not cultivated in Europe until the 16th century. Nowadays, the carrot is one of our favorite vegetables, celebrated for its fresh and slightly sweet taste as well as the multiple properties offered by its seeds distilled into essential oil. In perfumery, carrot seeds are used to create olfactory structures with powdery and amber facets, often replacing or reinforcing iris, mimosa, or violet accords in floral compositions.
Carrot Essential Oil in Perfumery
The woody olfactory family most commonly uses the carrot note, taking advantage of its powdery and iridescent facets to structure or open fragrances towards wild and slightly flowery grounds. However, uniquely masculine and woody fragrances containing the carrot note are relatively rare, as perfumers tend to create unisex fragrances.
Fun Fact: Rochas' Aquaman and Christian Dior's Dior Homme are the only two current male fragrances to feature a carrot note. In Aquaman, the carrot is a heart note combined with ginger and black pepper, while in Dior Homme, the carrot note is part of the explosive cocktail of base notes where iris, woody notes of vetiver, cedar, amber, sandalwood, and even cocoa mingle.
In the world of unisex woody fragrances featuring the carrot note, noteworthy examples include Serge Lutens' Santal de Mysore and Iris Silver Mist, Tom Ford's Santal Blush, Diptyque's Volutes, and L'Artisan Parfumeur's Carrot Flower. For each of these captivating woody scents, the carrot is typically a top note, complementing sandalwood, patchouli, or floral notes.
Carrot seeds also pair beautifully with floral scents like Touch of Pink and Lacoste for Women by Lacoste, Hiris by Hermès, or The Rain by Miller Harris. Moreover, the powdery facet of the carrot can be fully exploited by fragrances created around iris, such as Si Do by Reminiscence, which exudes the fragrances of carrot married in base notes to white musks, iris, and vanilla, or Honoré des Prés' I Love Carrots, which also blends the carrot note with iris, vanilla, patchouli, and orange.
Carrot Seeds: An Underappreciated Gem in Perfumery
Though carrot seeds may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when thinking of perfumery, their iridescent and powdery characteristics make them a versatile and enchanting addition to a wide variety of fragrances. The unassuming carrot seed has proven itself to be a valuable player in the creation of unique and captivating scents, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience its intriguing aroma.
Whether you're a perfumer or a fragrance enthusiast, exploring the world of carrot seeds in perfumery might just lead you to discover your new favorite scent. So, the next time you're seeking a fragrance with a unique twist, consider trying one infused with the delightful and surprising note of carrot seeds.
