In the beginning…
Cloves, with their rich, spicy fragrance, have a long history of use in cooking, medicine, and perfumery. Native to the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia, also known as the Spice Islands, cloves have been a valuable and sought-after spice throughout history. The Chinese were using them as early as 200 BC to freshen breath. In ancient times, the Romans prized them for their medicinal and aromatic properties. In the Middle Ages, cloves were considered a luxury spice and were often used as currency.
Growing cloves
Clove is the flower bud of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, which grows primarily in Indonesia. The Maluku Islands in Indonesia have historically been the main production center, now joined by Madagascar and Tanzania.
The clove tree is a tropical tree that prefers warm, humid climates. It can reach a height of 8 to 12 meters. The flower buds, which become cloves, are harvested by hand when the bud is pink and then dried in the sun for a few days until they turn a dark brown.
What did you know about cloves in perfumery?
In perfumery, clove essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of dried flower buds. This oil has a strong, spicy scent and is often used as an ancillary raw material in perfumes due to its potency.
Cloves are part of the olfactory family of spices. This family of scents is characterized by notes that are often peppery, cinnamic, and spicy. Spices, such as cloves, are often used to add warmth, spice, and complexity to perfumes.
Clove has a very distinctive odor. It has a warm and spicy scent profile, with a hint of bitterness. It can be described as metallic, pungent, and peppery with smoky notes reminiscent of a wood fire.
In perfumery, clove blends well with a variety of other notes. It complements other spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and can add warmth and depth to floral notes. It can also be used with woody notes to create a sense of warmth and comfort. Finally, clove pairs well with amber notes like amber and vanilla to create luxurious and exotic scents. Because it is so powerful, it is most often used in very small quantities.
The legendary perfumes containing cloves...
Among the famous perfumes containing cloves, we find:
• Opium by Yves Saint Laurent : Opium is an iconic eau de parfum launched in 1977. It is a bold oriental fragrance where clove combines with notes of myrrh, other spices, vanilla citrus, and patchouli. Clove brings a spicy and warm dimension that reinforces the complexity and depth of this fragrance.
• Spicebomb by Viktor&Rolf : A bold and spicy fragrance launched in 2012, the brand imagined an explosion of spices. The fragrance is characterized by its dualism between freshness and heat. With piquant top notes like chili and pink pepper, an aromatic heart of elemi and saffron, and a deep base of leather, tobacco, and vetiver, "Spicebomb" is both incendiary and sophisticated. Its grenade-shaped bottle perfectly reflects its explosive character, making this fragrance a bold statement for the modern man.
• Noir Epices by Frederic Malle : Noir Epices is a unisex fragrance that delivers a veritable explosion of spices. Clove, pepper, and nutmeg create an intensely spicy impression, complemented by floral notes of rose and geranium. Woody base notes of patchouli and sandalwood add depth and complexity to this spicy fragrance.
• Des Clous Pour Une Pelure by Serge Lutens : A unisex fragrance that showcases clove. This spice is revealed from the opening, bringing spicy and slightly bitter notes, enhanced by the freshness of orange. The heart of the fragrance blends with woody notes, offering warmth and depth. In the base, musks add a soft and sensual finish. This fragrance offers a modern and sophisticated interpretation of clove, ideal for lovers of spicy fragrances.
At Bon Parfumeur, clove is not featured as a main ingredient in any of our fragrances. However, our collection includes spicy fragrances in which it is present to complement other spices.
• If you are fond of spicy notes, we particularly recommend the 301 eau de parfum which offers an interesting contrast between cumin and cardamom!
• The 901 eau de parfum will also offer you a spicy trail thanks to its duo of nutmeg and black pepper!
