Bon Parfumeur's redcurrant perfumes
Bon Parfumeur, the French perfume house, is renowned for its innovative and refreshing creations for both women and men. Bon Parfumeur's Eau de parfum 202 is a perfect example of the use of red currants in perfumery. This fragrance is a refreshing blend of watermelon, jasmine and, of course, red currant. The result is a fresh, fruity and elegant red currant fragrance that's perfect for hot summer days.
What does the word “red currant” mean?
The term "red currant" is etymologically derived from two elements: "red" and "currant." "Red" refers to the color between orange and violet, while "currant" originally denoted a small seedless raisin, like the Zante currant. These raisins were associated with Corinth, an ancient Greek city known for its trade and the term "currant" expanded to include other dried fruits and fresh berries, including the red currant.
In the beginning…
The red currant, known also as ribes rubrum, originated in Eastern Europe and Anatolia, but is now grown all over the world. In the Middle Ages, it was used for its medicinal properties, notably for its diuretic and antiseptic virtues. Then, in the 17th century, it began to be cultivated for its gustatory and culinary qualities. It was then that perfumers began to take an interest in red currants for their fruity, tart notes, which add a pleasant freshness to perfumes.
The use of red currants in perfumery dates back to the early 20th century. French perfumers began incorporating it into their olfactory compositions, particularly for summer fragrances and eaux de toilette. Red currant is often combined with other fruity notes, such as raspberry or blackcurrant, as well as light floral notes such as rose or violet. This combination produces fresh, light, tangy scents that are particularly appreciated in the hot summer months. Today, red currant is still used in niche perfumery to bring a touch of freshness and lightness to fragrant compositions. It is often used in fruit fragrances or eaux de toilette, but can also be used in floral and even oriental perfumes. The red currant is therefore a versatile ingredient in perfumery, never ceasing to inspire the most creative noses.
Red currant accords
Red currant perfume is often created using accords, because of the difficulty of extracting the natural scent of this specific fruit. Accords allow perfumers to recreate the scent of red currant using carefully selected synthetic and natural ingredients. Accords offer greater precision and consistency in reproducing the scent of red currants, guaranteeing a consistent olfactory experience. Furthermore, accords enable perfumers to blend red currants with other complementary notes to create balanced, harmonious fragrance compositions. In this way, accords play an essential role in the creation of red currant fragrances, offering a realistic and creative alternative to the fruit's natural aroma.
What do you know about red currants in perfumery?
The processing and transformation of red currant accords in perfumery involves several steps. First, perfumers select specific ingredients, whether synthetic or natural, to recreate the characteristic aroma of the red currant. These ingredients are carefully proportioned and blended to form a red currant accord, which captures the fruit's sweet and tart notes. The red currant accord is then integrated into the overall fragrance composition, where it can be combined with other notes to create olfactory harmony. This transformation process creates fragrances that evoke the essence of the red currant in a realistic and captivating way, offering a lively, fruity olfactory experience.
In perfumery, the red currant is used for its fruity, tangy olfactory profile, which brings a touch of freshness and liveliness to olfactory compositions. Its scent is reminiscent of raspberry or cherry, but with a more acidic note and a hint of green, giving it a more lively, sparkling aspect. This olfactory note is often combined with floral notes such as rose or jasmine, as well as fruity notes such as orange or apple, to create fruity, gourmand fragrances. It is also used in fine perfumery for its ability to bring a natural, authentic fruity fragrance to compositions, while reinforcing their fresh, invigorating character.
In perfumery, red currant goes perfectly with ingredients such as jasmine, lily of the valley, blackcurrant and vanilla. It can also be combined with woodier or spicier notes to create warmer, more sensual fragrances. Because of its fruity, tangy scent, red currant is often used in summer fragrances and light perfumes to bring a touch of freshness and cheerfulness.
INTERESTING FACT!
The red currant is a highly nutritious fruit, rich in vitamins C, B and K, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium and copper. It's also an excellent source of antioxidants, which help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. In addition to its nutritional properties, red currant is known for its medicinal virtues. It has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems, arthritis, gout and rheumatism. It is also used to stimulate the immune system and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. In cosmetics, red currant is used for its moisturizing and revitalizing properties. It is often used in hair and skin products to help maintain moisture and natural radiance.
Popular red currant perfumes
In the world of fragrance, red currant has been a popular choice as a top note to infuse fresh and fruity elements into various compositions. Here, we present a curated selection of the best fragrances that have masterfully incorporated the scent of red currant:
• English Oak & Redcurrant de Jo Malone London, launched in 2017, contains red currant combined with notes of oakwood, rose and mandarin to create a floral, fruity and lightly woody scent.
• Quatre eau de parfum by Boucheron, created in 2015, also features red currant to add a touch of freshness to its floral bouquet. It is combined with jasmine, mandarin and rose.
• Dolce Rose by Dolce&Gabbana is a delightful floral fruity fragrance created for women. Launched in 2021, it offers a contemporary olfactory experience. The top notes include the vibrant blend of red currant, green apple, and mandarin orange, with middle notes of rose, May rose, white peach, and magnolia blooms, adding a touch of floral elegance and fruity sweetness. The fragrance concludes with a warm and sensual base, featuring musk, white wood, and sandalwood, providing a comforting and lasting impression.
• La Nuit Trésor à la Folie by Lancôme is an amber vanilla fragrance for women, it was introduced in 2018 and it makes part of the Nuit Trésor collection, which is also available in various gift sets. The top notes combine the zesty aroma of red currant, the juicy sweetness of pear, the spicy hint of pink pepper, and the freshness of bergamot. In the heart of the fragrance, Damask rose intertwines with the floral allure of violet, peony, and jasmine, creating a captivating and romantic bouquet. The base notes feature the warm and inviting embrace of Bourbon Vanilla and tonka bean, enhanced by the aromatic blend of benzoin, nutmeg, ambroxan, patchouli, and woody notes.
• La Pivoine by Fragonard is a delightful floral fragrance crafted for women. It was launched in 2017, offering a modern and feminine scent experience. The fragrance opens with vibrant top notes of red currant, rhubarb, and mock orange, creating a fresh and tangy introduction. At the heart of the fragrance, a beautiful bouquet unfolds, featuring pink peony, red peony, peony, jasmine, and mimosa. These floral notes intertwine to provide a captivating and elegant essence. Finally, the base notes of musk, iris, and amber add depth and sensuality, leaving a lasting impression.
