Cassia

What Does It Smell Like?

Cassia smells like cinnamon's spicier, more assertive cousin—imagine biting into a stick of cinnamon and getting an immediate jolt of warmth mixed with subtle sweetness and a faintly woody undertone. It's less refined than true cinnamon, with a sharper, almost peppery bite that catches at the back of your throat pleasantly. There's a honeyed quality lurking beneath the spice, reminiscent of warm mulled wine or Christmas biscuits fresh from the oven. Rather than delicate and sophisticated, cassia announces itself boldly and unapologetically.

Origin & History

Cassia comes from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia trees, native to southern China and Indonesia, where they've been harvested for thousands of years. Unlike Ceylon cinnamon (which comes from a different species), cassia bark is thicker and rougher, making it easier to cultivate commercially. The scent is both steam-distilled from bark and extracted through solvent extraction to create the concentrated fragrance ingredient. Historically prized in traditional medicine and cooking, cassia became a cornerstone of Asian spice trade routes and remains cheaper and more widely available than true cinnamon.

In Perfumery

Cassia typically plays a bold supporting role rather than a star—perfumers use it to add warmth, spice, and subtle sweetness to oriental, gourmand, and woody compositions. Its assertive nature means even small quantities create noticeable impact. It bridges gourmand and spicy families, working beautifully in amber blends, evoking comfort and sensuality without delicacy.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 11 Fragrances