Character
The Story of Nutty Notes
Nutty notes capture the warm, buttery scent of roasted almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios, adding a comforting richness that bridges gourmand sweetness and earthy depth in modern perfumery.
Heritage
Nut aromas have been prized since antiquity. Ancient Egyptians used bitter almond oil in embalming rituals, while the Greeks prized pistachio paste for its fragrant richness. In medieval Europe, hazelnut kernels were ground into scented powders for both culinary and aromatic purposes. The 19th century saw the isolation of benzaldehyde, the key bitter almond molecule, providing the first synthetic route to a nutty scent. By the late 20th century, advances in supercritical CO2 technology allowed perfumers to capture the full spectrum of nut volatiles without heat damage, revitalising natural nut extracts in contemporary fragrance houses. Today, nutty notes anchor gourmand, woody and oriental compositions, linking historic tradition with modern olfactory art.
At a Glance
2
Feature this note
Italy
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Supercritical CO2 extraction
Nut kernels and skins
Did You Know
"The first commercial hazelnut CO2 extract was launched in Italy in 1998, and its aroma profile contains over 30 distinct volatile compounds, making it one of the most complex natural nut extracts."
Pyramid Presence