What does caraway seed smell like in perfume? Caraway seed smells warm and softly savoury, with a sweet, rye-bread note. A small touch adds an unusual, comforting spice.
| Botanical name | Carum carvi |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Seeds |
| Origin | The Netherlands and Eastern Europe |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Note | Top |
| Scent family | Spices |
| Odour | Warm, softly savoury spice with a sweet, rye-bread note |
| Perfume uses | Spicy, aromatic and soft woody blends |
| Key molecules | Carvone, limonene |
| Odour impact | High |
| Odour life on a strip | Short: a few hours |
| Found in | Carissis |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Caraway Seed?
Caraway seed oil is distilled from the seeds of Carum carvi. Its main molecule, carvone, gives the familiar scent of rye bread and aquavit.
What Does Caraway Seed Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of caraway seed comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Spicy
A warm, gentle spice.
Sweet
A soft, bready sweetness.
Herbal
An aromatic, anise-like note.
Savoury
A light, savoury warmth.
How Perfumers Use Caraway Seed
Perfumers use caraway in small amounts to add warmth and an unexpected twist. It pairs well with lavender, fruit and soft woods.
One molecule, two scents
Carvone exists in two mirror-image forms: one smells of caraway, the other of spearmint. It is a classic example of how molecular shape changes scent.
Smell Caraway Seed in Prosody London Perfumes
For caraway seed at its most expressive, try Carissis. Caraway adds a soft, warm spice beside lavender in the opening of this gentle skin scent.
CarissisWhat Blends Well With Caraway Seed?
Questions About Caraway Seed
Does caraway smell like rye bread?
Yes, its carvone gives that familiar note.
Is caraway strong?
Yes, it is used sparingly.
What pairs with caraway?
Lavender, fruit and soft woods.
Explore all of our natural perfume ingredients.
