Key Takeaways:
- Pistachio smells nutty and slightly sweet.
- The scent of pistachio pairs well with vanilla, amber, and musk.
- Snif’s Heal the Way fragrance blends pistachio cream, davana, palo santo, vanilla absolute, musk, and amber.
As you search for your signature scent, you might come across fragrances that feature pistachio.
For some, this decadent nut makes the perfect filling for a buttery croissant or adds just the right amount of crunch when sprinkled atop a lemon bar. Even if you’re a pistachio lover when it comes to cooking and baking, you might still be wondering what pistachio actually smells like and how it pairs with other scents.
That’s why this guide will take a close look at what pistachio oil is, what it smells like, the scents that pair well with pistachio, and a few of our favorite pistachio fragrances from the Snif line.
Plus, good news — if you’re eager to try a pistachio fragrance but are worried about a nut allergy, we’ve got you covered. All of Snif’s nut-based scents are allergen-free!
What Is Pistachio?
Although most people refer to pistachios as a nut, they are actually a drupe (other members of this food family include nectarines, almonds, olives, avocados, and mangoes).
Technicalities aside, pistachios do look and taste quite nutty and are the seed of the pistachio tree. If you’ve ever eaten a pistachio, then you know that to get to the slightly sweet, rich kernel, you have to peel back the hard protective hull.
Those kernels and shells are sent through the process of steam distillation to make pistachio oil, the fragranced oil used to make pistachio-based perfumes. Steam distillation is a separation process that utilizes steam to separate essential oils from non-volatile residues.
Indigenous to Western Asia, pistachios have been cultivated and enjoyed for over 3,000 years. Pistachio oil has been made as long as pistachios have been cultivated, and was a beloved oil in the ancient Assyrian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.
In ancient Greece, pistachio oil had a wide range of uses. It was used in medicine to promote well-being, soothe inflammation, and treat skin conditions. Just like in modern times, it was also used in cosmetics, cooking, and as an aphrodisiac.
What Does Pistachio Smell Like?
We know where pistachio comes from, so now it’s time to break down the scent profile of this ancient seed. In this section, we’ll break down the two primary scent notes that make up pistachio’s smell.
Sweet
It’s no coincidence that pistachio finds its way into baked goods and pastries. It has a distinctly sweet, creamy scent that evokes a warm feeling. Depending on the type of pistachio used, this sweetness can sometimes have a fruity twist.
Nutty
Pistachio has a very nutty smell. Similar to the nuttiness of almonds, the nutty notes in pistachios’ scent profile allow it to give fragrances some depth, warmth, and an earthy undertone.
What Scents Does Pistachio Pair Well With?
Pistachio plays nicely with a range of fragrances, but these are some of the best scents to pair it with.
Vanilla
The smell of vanilla helps draw out the natural sweetness of pistachio’s scent. This fragrance duo makes for a rich, gourmand smell that’s absolutely irresistible.
If you’re already a fan of pistachio desserts, then the combination of pistachio and vanilla is sure to appeal to your sweet tooth. All of the vanilla used in Snif fragrances is extracted from cured vanilla beans that are grown and produced in Madagascar, giving you a smooth, rich scent.
Amber
Amber actually doesn’t refer to a single ingredient. Instead, amber is the name for a fragrance accord that is specifically designed to be warm, spicy, and resinous.
At Snif, we make amber accord by blending the smells of orcanox and cinnamon.
This warm, woody scent pairs perfectly with pistachio because the nuttiness of pistachio adds a layer of complexity to amber. When combined, amber and pistachio feel like a warm hug or a nap by the fire on a cold February day.
Musk
Although pistachio has a distinctive smell, it isn’t an overwhelming ingredient. That’s why it can pair well with musk, one of the most delicate, subtle scents used in the world of perfumery.
Musk has a powdery, light smell that’s reminiscent of clean, warm skin. It adds a lightness to pistachio that perfectly balances the elements of sweetness.
It’s important to note that although musk was historically harvested from the glands of the musk deer, we use only synthetically derived musk to make our signature fragrances and candles. In this way, we can utilize the versatile scent of musk sustainably and ethically.
What Is a Pistachio Scent To Try?
Now that you’re up-to-date on where pistachio oil comes from, what it smells like, and the scents it pairs well with, it’s time to talk specifics.
This section will introduce you to Heal the Way, Snif’s pistachio fragrance, and the different ways you can enjoy the grounded, relaxing scent.
Heal the Way
Heal The Way is a scent designed by the New York Times best-selling author and mindfulness teacher Alex Elle. The idea behind the fragrance was to create a scent that could serve as a daily reminder to take a moment for self-care and self-love.
This fragrance manages to be both warm, cozy, and comforting with a fresh, clean twist. The combination of pistachio cream, davana, palo santo, vanilla absolute, musk, and amber makes it an ideal go-to for those moments when you want to unwind and lean into your soft side.
To kick things up a notch, you can also grab our Heal the Way Body Balm — it’s solid in the jar, but takes on a smooth, buttery consistency when applied to your skin.
Featuring squalane to prevent moisture loss, jojoba seed oil to soften and heal the skin, and vitamin E for your skin’s natural barrier, this formula is the perfect way to treat your skin to some TLC.
To get the most out of Heal the Way, layer the body balm and apply the fragrance onto your pulse points.
Go Nuts
This is your official invitation to go nuts and try a pistachio fragrance. The sweet, nutty smell that makes pistachio a beloved ingredient in the culinary world is also what allows it to shine in fragrances.
To get the most pistachio possible into your beauty routine, try out Heal the Way, our pistachio scent, in the form of a fragrance, body balm, and candle.
FAQs
Does pistachio smell similar to almond?
Yes, pistachio and almond have a similar smell because they are both nutty and have slightly sweet notes. However, pistachio has a more nuanced scent profile.
While almond has a more straightforward nutty smell, pistachio has sweet, gourmand notes and vanilla undertones that make its scent profile distinct.
Is pistachio a good year-round scent?
Pistachio is one of those fragrances that works well all year round. In colder weather, it can be paired with sweet, rich notes to create warming, cozy fragrances.
Once it starts to warm up, pistachio can be paired with lighter scent notes to play up its sweet, fresh side. Depending on what it’s paired with, pistachio can match any season and mood.
Sources:
Pistachio oil: A review on its chemical composition, extraction systems and uses | Research Gate
Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity | NIH