Green tea

What Does It Smell Like?

Green tea smells fresh, slightly grassy, and delicately herbaceous—imagine steaming a cup of premium sencha and catching that initial vaporous breath. It's herbaceous without being medicinal, with subtle vegetal sweetness reminiscent of fresh-cut grass after rain, dried hay, and a whisper of subtle bitterness. There's an almost powdery, mineral quality that feels clean and contemplative. It's nothing like the floral sweetness of other florals; instead, it's crisp, refined, and vaguely astringent on the nose.

Origin & History

Green tea originates primarily from East Asia—China, Japan, and Vietnam—where Camellia sinensis leaves are harvested and immediately heated to prevent oxidation, preserving their green colour and fresh character. Perfumers typically use synthetic molecules like Calone derivatives, Galbanum, or naturals like tea absolute extracted through solvent methods, as the delicate notes are difficult to capture in traditional distillation. Some houses blend aldehydes with herbal notes to recreate this elusive freshness. Japanese green tea culture heavily influenced perfumery's embrace of this note in the 1990s onwards.

In Perfumery

Green tea typically acts as a top or heart note, providing luminous freshness and an intellectual quality. Perfumers use it to add zesty vitality without heaviness, often pairing it with citrus, white florals, or woody bases. It lends sophistication and modern elegance, frequently appearing in unisex and fresh fragrances seeking understated complexity.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 46 Fragrances