What does aniseed smell like in perfume? Aniseed smells sweet, fresh and liquorice-like, with a soft powdery warmth. It brings a nostalgic, gently sweet character to a fragrance.
| Botanical name | Pimpinella anisum |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Seeds |
| Origin | Spain, Egypt and Turkey |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Note | Top |
| Scent family | Spices |
| Odour | Sweet, liquorice-like and fresh, with a soft powdery warmth |
| Perfume uses | Powdery florals, gourmands and aromatic blends |
| Key molecules | trans-Anethole, anisaldehyde |
| Odour impact | High |
| Odour life on a strip | Medium: most of a day |
| Found in | Moiré Mimosa |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Aniseed?
Aniseed oil is distilled from the seeds of Pimpinella anisum, a Mediterranean herb. Its main molecule, anethole, gives the liquorice-like scent also found in fennel and star anise.
What Does Aniseed Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of aniseed comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Sweet
A soft, liquorice sweetness.
Fresh
A cool, aromatic lift.
Powdery
A soft, cushiony note.
Herbal
A green, seed-like note.
How Perfumers Use Aniseed
Perfumers use aniseed to add sweetness and a powdery freshness. It pairs especially well with mimosa, violet and almond-like notes.
Aniseed and mimosa
Mimosa naturally contains anisaldehyde, a molecule also found in aniseed. That shared chemistry makes them perfect partners.
Smell Aniseed in Prosody London Perfumes
For aniseed at its most expressive, try Moiré Mimosa. Aniseed opens the scent with mimosa absolute, enhancing its soft, powdery sweetness.
Moiré MimosaWhat Blends Well With Aniseed?
Questions About Aniseed
Does aniseed smell like liquorice?
Yes, sweet and liquorice-like.
Is aniseed strong?
It is used in small amounts.
What pairs with aniseed?
Mimosa, coconut, vanilla and lavender.
Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.
