Fragrance Note
Cardamom
Used in 925+ fragrances on FragranVerse
What it smells like
Elettaria cardamomum is a perennial herb native to the Western Ghats in Kerala, India. The essential oil is steam-distilled from dried seeds, with Guatemala now being the world's largest producer. The scent profile combines cold freshness from 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) and warmth from alpha-terpinyl acetate. These two molecules, along with smaller amounts of linalool and limonene, create cardamom's unique aromatic-spicy character.
How it's used in perfumery
Cardamom functions as a top-to-heart modifier providing aromatic freshness with spicy warmth. Its cineole content makes it uniquely transparent among spice materials, lifting compositions rather than weighing them down. It serves as a bridge between citrus top notes and woody or ambery hearts. CO₂ extracts offer a fuller profile, while steam-distilled oils provide functional brightness.
Fun fact
Guatemala became the world's largest cardamom producer through introduction by German coffee planter Oscar Majus Kloeffer before World War I, despite having no historical connection to the plant.
Perfumes with Cardamom(80 of 925)
Indian
(1)Middle East
(45)
Designer
(21)Niche
(13)