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Papaya: A Fruit with Olfactory and Aesthetic Virtues
For centuries, papaya has been a fruit enjoyed for its taste and utilized by Mexicans to alleviate stomach aches and gastric infections. Even today, papain, the juice of the papaya tree, is a Codex-recognized remedy for treating gastric or duodenal insufficiencies.
Beyond its therapeutic properties, papaya is also widely used in cosmetics, particularly in anti-aging products, due to its natural abundance of powerful antioxidants.
In perfumery, the papaya note, reconstituted through synthetic molecules, remains relatively rare. Nevertheless, some remarkable fragrances have incorporated papaya notes alongside other exotic, oriental, or floral scents.
Papaya in Rare Perfumes with Scents from Afar
The papaya note was mainly employed in 1990s perfumes to create floral and fruity fragrances that evoked a taste of exoticism. Primarily used as a top note, papaya imparts its fresh, sweet, and exotic scent to accentuate white musks, jasmine, or iris. Hugo Boss's "Hugo Woman," released in 1997, is a prime example of this combination, blending fresh top notes of papaya and melon-green apple to usher the fragrance toward armfuls of white flowers and a deep vanilla and sandalwood trail. "MV" by Madeleine Vionnet and "Le Roy Soleil" by Salvador Dali also follow this exotic olfactory path with flair and variations.
In the 2000s, the papaya note found new, more original applications in oriental and mainly summer fragrances. Thanks to Escada and its scented summer waters that evoke faraway sunny destinations, papaya infused its scents into wholly unique and innovative perfumes.
In 2005, the delightful fruity floral Rockin 'Rio from Escada transported its admirers to Brazil with top notes of papaya, pineapple, and tangerine. This exotic blend harmonized perfectly with the notes of piña colada and night jasmine, melting into a bath of coconut milk and sandalwood—a highly appreciated fragrance, albeit released in limited edition.
Two years later, Escada introduced another olfactory summer journey with Sunset Heat. Again featuring papaya as a top note alongside other exotic fragrances, this time the scent exuded hibiscus and peach—another tremendous success!
For now, the papaya note is exclusively reserved for feminine perfumes. While relatively uncommon compared to other fragrances, its usage in unique and highly original compositions allows it to leave a lasting impression on both minds and noses.
Fun Facts About Papaya in Perfumery
- Papaya notes in perfumes date back to the 1990s, evoking a sense of exoticism in floral and fruity fragrances.
- Escada, a notable brand in the perfume industry, has released several summer fragrances featuring papaya as a top note, transporting wearers to distant sunny destinations.
- Although the papaya note is relatively rare compared to other fragrances, it has the distinction of being used in almost unique and highly original compositions.
