What does ginger smell like in perfume? Ginger smells fresh, zingy and lightly spiced, with a warm, lemony glow. It brings vitality and warmth to a fragrance’s opening.
| Botanical name | Zingiber officinale |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Rhizome (root) |
| Origin | India, China and Madagascar |
| Extraction | CO2 extract and steam distillation |
| Note | Top |
| Scent family | Spices |
| Odour | Fresh, zingy and lightly spiced, with a warm, lemony glow |
| Perfume uses | Fresh, spicy and woody blends |
| Key molecules | Zingiberene, ar-curcumene, citral |
| Odour impact | Medium |
| Odour life on a strip | Short: a few hours |
| Found in | Mocha Muscari, Oud Octavo |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Ginger?
Ginger comes from the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, grown across tropical Asia and Madagascar. Fresh ginger is lemony and bright; dried ginger is warmer and spicier.
What Does Ginger Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of ginger comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Zingy
A fresh, tingling bite.
Spicy
A warm spice.
Citrus
A lemony brightness.
Woody
A soft, dry depth.
How Perfumers Use Ginger
Perfumers use ginger to add a fresh, spicy sparkle. It pairs well with citrus, woods, coffee and incense.
Warm and fresh at once
Ginger is unusual in combining a fresh, lemony brightness with a gentle warmth, which makes it useful in both fresh and oriental blends.
Smell Ginger in Prosody London Perfumes
For ginger at its most expressive, try Oud Octavo. Ginger adds a warm, zingy spark beside bergamot and cognac before the oud heart. You will also find ginger in Mocha Muscari.
What Blends Well With Ginger?
Questions About Ginger
Does ginger smell spicy?
It is fresh and zingy, with a gentle spice.
Does ginger last long?
It is a top note.
What pairs with ginger?
Citrus, coffee, woods and black pepper.
Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.


Oud Octavo
Mocha Muscari