For the past few years, every new fragrance smelled like a bakery. Gourmand perfumes, those delicious perfumes of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate, are pushed in almost every new fragrance release. But if you’re starting to feel a little…full…you are valid. I have mentioned in my previous article, “Are We Over Gourmand Fragrances?”, that the perfume world is a constantly shifting landscape, and there are signs that our collective sweet tooth might be craving something different. Now, a new direction seems to be materializing on the horizon: savory gourmands.
Are We Over Gourmands
In “Are We Over Gourmand Fragrances?“, I explored the rise, reign, and potential future of these sweet perfumes, examining their transformation, popularity, and whether a new fragrance trend was on the horizon. The data suggested a potential fatigue with overtly sweet scents, leading me to consider potential replacements, such as fresh/aquatic, green/earthy, and spicy/woody fragrances. While those categories are certainly becoming more popular, especially as summer scents, a different kind of scent crossed my radar. The savory gourmand.
What Are Savory Gourmands?
We all know what sweet gourmands are: desserts for your nose (as I have stated in my gourmands article). But what exactly constitutes a savory gourmand? Well, just as savory flavors oppose sweet ones, savory scents would be the same. Therefore, this category would consist of the following notes:
- Herbs: Basil, rosemary, thyme
- Vegetables: Tomato leaf, cucumber, beetroot
- Spices: Pink peppercorn, cardamom, coriander
- Savory “Food” Notes: Rice, sesame, olive oil, truffle
But why are we seeing this shift now?
As highlighted in my previous article, the market has been flooded with sweet gourmands, leading to consumer fatigue. Usually, when this occurs with any trend, the next trend is usually the opposite side of the spectrum compared to the previous one. Look at Clean Girl vs. Brat Summer, for example.
While I initially listed other potential up-and-coming fragrance trends, I believe the current season influences what fragrance families will be popular. Therefore, as the temperature drops, the comforting heat of a savory fragrance will be there to keep us warm.
Evidence of the Savory Shift:
This isn’t just a hunch. I saw firsthand evidence of this trend at Beauty World Middle East 2024, where many pavilions featured savory displays of food, such as tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables and not for consumption, but as inspiration for fragrance. This signals a clear intention within the industry to market these notes.
Examples of Savory Gourmand Notes in Fragrances
These are some more of the potential savory notes that might be added to gourmand perfumes:
- Earl Grey Tea
- Cheese
- Sesame
- Rice
- Salt
- Popcorn
- Hazelnut
- Truffle oil
- Olives
- Soy sauce
- Toasted nuts
- Tomatoes
- Green pepper
- Basil
- Rosemarry
P.S.: These notes must be prominent and complement each other’s presence for the fragrance to be considered an overall savory gourmand. It is not enough for only one savory note to be in a scent as a background note; it should be front and center.
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