Nutmeg perfume ingredient

Production

Originally native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia, the nutmeg tree now grows in many tropical regions across the globe. However, the production of nutmeg has largely remained in its native homeland, with the exception of Sri Lanka and Grenada Island. The delightfully fragrant scent of nutmeg is obtained through steam distillation—but only the nuts deemed unworthy for culinary purposes are distilled.

History

The ancient city of Constantinople was the first to dabble in the newfound delights of nutmeg when the spice was imported from India during the 6th century. It would take six more centuries before the spice made its way to Europe as plunder during The Crusades, where it really thrilled the senses of its new fans—quickly gaining popularity and becoming the second-most popular spice after pepper. New nutmeg devotees found ways to flavor almost anything with the spice, despite its hefty price tag (half a kilo of nutmeg would put you out of pocket by three sheep and a cow). The treasured spice was carried in a small silver or wooden box alongside a grater and added to dishes at leisure.

Origin

Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Did you know...

Despite its image as a delightfully wintry scent, nutmeg has a dark side: When consumed in high doses, nutmeg is a hallucinogen and can cause fatal food poisoning! Nutmeg comes from dioecious trees, meaning that each plant is distinctly male or female. The yellow-orange fruit that—once mature—fall and release an ovoid seed (nutmeg), are female. The coveted nutmeg seeds are wrapped in a lacy, reddish covering called “mace,” which is also sold as a spice (its spicy, pungent scent is similar to that of nutmeg).

Most combined ingredients

Iconic Fragrance

Cacharel

CACHAREL POUR L'HOMME

1981, for Cacharel pour l'Homme, Gérard Goupy sublimates the scented base called Epicène Gamma (IFF): overdose of nutmeg, chilipepper, cinnamon leaf, cloves and black pepper, offering a spicy dominance. He envelops it lightly with a citrus bergamot opening and a floral heart that melts on woody base notes. Timeless and chic, this spicy sensuality is typical of the masculine scents of the 80s.