A rich, spicy and floral note, reminiscent of carnation and most commonly used in men’s fragrances to give a warm and sweetly aromatic quality to complex accords. Clove is particularly popular for its deep, woody tones that blend beautifully in fragrances of bergamot, citrus, lavender, earthy geranium, musk, rose or ylang-ylang.
Cloves derive from a tropical plant that grows in the warm, temperate climates of the Molucca Islands, Madagascar, Indonesia, the Philippines and Tanzania. Before the trees’ flowers are able to bloom, the buds are hand-picked and steam distilled before being dried in the sun for three days. It is during this drying process that the buds turn from a pinkish color to their characteristically dark shade. However, the clove essence that can be found in warm, sweet accords is obtained through a process of distillation using the trees’ leaves.
Despite its small size, the clove has made quite an impact: inspiring cuisines and fragrances for centuries. During the 16th century, the Portuguese, Dutch and British battled to obtain the coveted clove in a heated struggle to dominate the spice trade. However, the impact of cloves far precedes European colonialism. During the Han dynasty, the Emperor’s entourage were made to chew cloves as a breath freshener when bowing before the Emperor. In the Middle Ages, cloves became a panacea: used in the treatment of fever, forgetfulness, deafness, sexual dysfunction, and senility. And during the black plague, doctors were known to tie a clove-filled pouch over their noses to purify the air, while dentists would use the spice to treat toothache.
Indonesia, Madagascar, Philippines, United Republic of Tanzania
This fragrance, originally designed for a bath oil, has excited American women with its powerful spicy accord, clove and cinnamon, which enhances the floral heart and spices up the very persistent balsamic base of benzoin.
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