Fragrance Note
Saffron
Used in 821+ fragrances on FragranVerse
What it smells like
Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, a sterile triploid propagated only by corm division. Each flower yields three crimson threads. Roughly 150,000 flowers. Hand-picked during a two-week autumn window. Produce one kilogram of dried saffron. Iran supplies over 90% of the world's output. The scent hinges on safranal (CAS 116-26-7), which forms during drying through enzymatic hydrolysis of its glycoside precursor picrocrocin. Safranal constitutes 30-70% of saffron's volatile fraction. Isophorone and HTCC contribute leathery-tobacco and warm-herbaceous qualities.
How it's used in perfumery
Saffron functions as a heart note with moderate fixative properties. Its primary role is as a signature note. Providing warm, metallic-spicy depth to amber, oud-based, and leathery compositions. Dosage is critical: typically 0.01-0.5% of a formula. Overdosed, it turns iodine-medicinal; correctly balanced, it radiates leathery luminosity. It pairs structurally with oud, rose, and ambroxan. Safranal is heavily restricted by IFRA. 0.012% maximum in fine fragrance.
Fun fact
Safranal. The molecule responsible for saffron's smell. Does not exist in the living flower. It forms only during drying when the odourless glycoside picrocrocin undergoes hydrolysis.
Perfumes with Saffron(80 of 821)
Middle East
(49)
Designer
(7)Niche
(24)