What is clove?
Originating from Indonesia, clove from Syzygium aromaticum is one of the most used spices in cooking to season recipes worldwide, thanks to its intense flavor and its characteristic aroma.
Besides being used as an aromatic herb, cloves are also used for all kinds of natural remedies and even for the manufacture of fragrances. In fragrance, clove is not used as a culinary spice, but as a high-impact spicy note, capable of adding depth and character to a composition.
What does clove smell like?
As we have already mentioned, clove is a spice extracted from Syzygium aromaticum. The flowers of this tree are left to dry in the sun until their aroma intensifies and they acquire a peculiar shape similar to a small carpenter's nail.
It has a olfactory profile that we can define as:
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Spicy
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Warm
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Slightly sweet
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Woody
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With a balsamic base
Additionally, it has a slightly spicy and enveloping facet that provides an immediate sensation of warmth.
Properties of clove in perfumery
In the composition of a fragrance, clove is usually used to enhance:
- The intensity since it provides power to the opening or the heart of the fragrance
- The depth: adds a dark and sophisticated nuance that prevents the fragrance from being "flat"
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Fixation: its components help to prolong the spicy sensation on the skin
In which olfactory families is it used?
Due to the characteristics we mentioned before, clove is usually used in:
- Oriental fragrances
- Woody fragrances
- Spicy floral and gourmand
- Some vintage-style fragrances
Also, clove combines well with notes of cinnamon, amber, rose, patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Who does it work best for?
Since it is neither a light nor fresh note, clove is usually liked by those looking for a fragrance with character and enveloping, warm scents that stand out. It is surely not a common note in minimalist or aquatic fragrances.
Is it a masculine or feminine note?
Historically it has been more present in classic masculine and intense oriental fragrances, but today it is a completely unisex note, especially in niche or contemporary spicy compositions.
Everything depends on the balance with other notes.
Clove in our fragrances
Within the divain catalog, clove appears in compositions where it seeks to provide:
- Spicy character
- Oriental depth
- Warm enveloping sensation
It is usually integrated into spicy woody and intense oriental fragrances, reinforcing the structure of the fragrance and providing greater presence on the skin. We suggest some of our favorites
divain-579
With a blend of sweet aromas among which we find notes of clove, Damask rose, Oud wood, and praline, divain-579 it is a unisex fragrance full of passion and maturity. A perfect fragrance for a summer night.
divain-525
Soft, delicate, and fresh. These are the qualities of divain-525, a fragrance composed of oriental notes such as ginger, cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, or clove. A perfect fragrance for a romantic blanket and movie night during winter.
divain-556
Belonging to the olfactory family Spicy Oriental, this fragrance for women is a great option if what you are looking for is a intense and unique aroma. divain-556 It has irresistible notes of clove, cumin, and mandarin.
Is it a safe note?
In modern perfumery, the use of clove and eugenol is regulated under international standards (such as IFRA), which ensures that its concentration is safe for cosmetic use.
As with any fragrance, if you have sensitive skin, a prior test is recommended.
Does clove make a fragrance last longer?
Clove is not a main fixative, but its spicy molecules help reinforce the sensation of depth and can prolong the warm perception on skin.
Is clove an intense or subtle note?
It is an intense note. In small doses it adds sophistication; in higher concentration it can dominate the composition.
Is clove used in niche fragrances?
Yes, it is very common in niche perfumery and in modern reinterpretations of classic spicy fragrances.
Does clove appear in fresh fragrances?
Rarely. It is more common in warm, oriental, or woody fragrances, not in citrus or aquatic fragrances.
What is the difference between clove and cinnamon in a fragrance?
Clove is darker and balsamic; cinnamon is sweeter and warmer. Both add spices, but create different sensations.
Can clove be too strong?
It depends on the formula. In well-balanced fragrances it adds character without being invasive.
1 comment
Excelente información, Gracias.