Cardamom is something you're more likely to find in cooking than in a particular fragrance. However, this smell is both unique and potent and works well in many perfumes. Learn all about the cardamom scent in this guide!
What is Cardamom and Where Does it Come From?
Cardamom is a spice that has the nickname "queen of the spices". It is quite an expensive spice (falling just behind vanilla and saffron), and comes from the spice pods of the ginger family. There are two main types of cardamom: green cardamom and black cardamom.
Green cardamom is the most common and comes from the plant species Elettaria Cardamomum. This one grows in places like Sri Lanka and India, and has a slightly sweeter scent and taste.
As the name suggests, Black cardamom is darker in appearance and a little woodier in taste and scent. It comes from the plant species Amomum Subulatum, which grows in areas like India, Eastern Nepal, and Sikkim.
What Does Cardamom Smell Like?
Black cardamom and green cardamom are two distinct spices; therefore, they have their own scents.
Black Cardamom
Black cardamom gives a distinctive smoky scent. It has a woody, earthy aroma upon first smell, but it also has some lighter, citrusy notes underneath, which are quite subtle. There is even a slight hint of mintiness embedded in this scent. It's the kind of smell that reminds you of a wood-burning bonfire on a fresh summer night. It's exotic, tantalizing, and savory.
Green Cardamom
Green cardamom has an extremely fragrant, lemony scent that is reminiscent of eucalyptus. It has plenty of warmth and depth, but makes way for a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the deeper spices. It's herby, rich, and peppery.
When it comes to using cardamom in scents, it's often green cardamom that gets used, although there are cases of black cardamom adding smokiness and earthiness to fragrances.
The Best Scents to Match with Cardamom
As green and black cardamom both have their own unique scents, it makes sense that the scents that pair best with them are different (although there are some crossovers).
Scents to Pair with Black Cardamom:
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Rose
- Jasmine
- Black Pepper
- Nutmeg
Scents to Pair with Green Cardamom:
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Bergamot
- Sandalwood
- Cloves
- Lavendar
- Vanilla
5 Great Perfumes that Use Cardamom
While you can buy whole seed pods of black and green cardamom, these are usually used for cooking. To wear this scent, you should look for high-quality perfumes that include cardamom in the notes.
Tom Ford Ombre Leather
Tom Ford Ombre Leather is a fragrance for men that uses the notes of cardamom, jasmine, leather, patchouli, moss, and amber. Cardamom is one of the top notes, giving it an earthy, woody scent that is wonderfully sophisticated and masculine, while the touch of jasmine and patchouli adds a necessary floral lightness. It's the kind of fragrance that makes you think of desert heat and driving through a rocky country road.
Versace Man Eau Fraiche
This is a unique, alluring scent for men that blends rich, woody, spicy notes to create a blend that reminds you of fresh summertime. The cardamom in Versace Man Eau Fraiche works alongside saffron as the middle notes, adding plenty of enticing spice to the mix. The other notes of black pepper, neroli, amber, and tobacco leaves create a complex yet classic scent that makes you think of true luxury. This works best on a confident man who knows his worth.
Montale Arabians
If looking for an enticing fragrance for both men and women that incorporates cardamom, Montale Arabians' unisex EDP is perfect.
This fragrance uses cardamom as a top note alongside lavender, cinnamon, and saffron – these are then balanced harmoniously with middle and base notes that include rose, jasmine, leather, and amber. The result is a sophisticated unisex scent that offers plenty of complex mystery. It's a confident, commanding perfume that still does not overpower.
Versace Versense
While cardamom is often associated with men's fragrances, there are plenty of instances in which this spice lends itself to beautiful women's perfume, and that is the case with Versace Versense. This attractive bottle is light green, which aptly reflects the refreshing perfume within. Notes include cardamom, prickly pear, jasmine, olive tree, mandarin, bergamot, and musk. The result is a classy, modern perfume that smells like a warm spring day.
Do you want to browse more feminine fragrances? Here at LaBelle Perfumes, we have a wonderful selection of the best perfumes for women!
Montale Sensual Instinct
Another unisex perfume that uses cardamom is Montale Sensual Instinct. It is a sensual, alluring scent that certainly attracts attention, and it does this by blending the notes of cardamom, bergamot, whiskey, coffee, vanilla, jasmine, and more. It creates a mysterious yet vibrant scent that you can't help sniffing over and over again – it's that good!
What Are Some Other Uses of Cardamom?
Cardamom works amazingly as a scent, but it also has some other uses!
Food: The main use of cardamom is in food. It's used commonly in Indian cooking (such as curries), as it adds a beautiful spicy taste to dishes, creating balance and depth. It is one of the key ingredients in the popular spice blend garam masala, which lends itself to multiple great dishes.
Medicine: Cardamom has been used in medicine for many years due to certain bacteria-killing properties. Some of the things it can treat include digestion, high blood pressure, and slow circulation. You can find cardamom as a supplement, but it's best to speak to a doctor before doing so.
Aromatherapy: Another way cardamom can be used is in aromatherapy. This makes the most of this distinct scent by turning it into an essential oil. It is said to create a feeling of ease and relaxation.
Cardamom: An Enveloping Spice Scent
Both green and black cardamom are useful spices that work well in Indian cooking, while also lending themselves wonderfully to fragrances! It's the type of scent that adds warmth, mystery, and spice to any perfume.
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