Find Your Scent: What Does Saffron Smell Like?

When you think of saffron, you might immediately think of small containers full of a bright red spice or yellow, fragrant rice… both of which would be spot on. 

Although most people associate saffron with cooking, it’s also an ingredient that’s found in different fragrances. In fact, it’s one of the oldest fragrance ingredients out there — that’s why, in this article, we’ll break down the origins of saffron, its distinct smell, and the scents that pair well with it. Plus, we’ll recommend some Snif fragrances that contain this ingredient. 

What Is Saffron?

Before we dive into the smell of saffron and what it pairs well with, we have to take a look at what it is. 

Saffron, also known as “red gold,” is a spice from the plant crocus sativus. Popular in Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, saffron is now only grown in Iran, Spain, India, Greece, Morocco, and Italy. It’s thought that the Romans tossed saffron on the ground to add a special fragrance to a room, and Cleopatra herself used it as part of her skincare routine. 

Given that the plant that produces saffron can only be grown in certain places, and it has to be harvested and pruned by hand, it’s considered the world’s most expensive ingredient. 

For context, it takes roughly 70,000 flowers to produce a pound of saffron spice — add to that number the fact that saffron is produced by hand, and you can start to get a feel for where the nickname “red gold” comes from.

Saffron gives dishes an earthy, spicy flavor. It’s used in sweet and savory dishes alike, and you can find it in everything from ice cream to tea. Along with its delicious flavor, saffron is also often used in cooking and aromatherapy because it’s thought to reduce inflammation, help treat depression, and improve mood. 

What Does Saffron Smell Like?

Now that you know a bit more about what saffron is and where it comes from, it’s time to take a close look at its smell. In this section, we’ll break the smell of saffron down into its four defining characteristics: earthy, leathery, musky, and spicy. 

Earthy

Saffron is a decidedly earthy fragrance. When you smell saffron, one of the first things you’ll get is a rich, grounded smell that will immediately transport you to the natural world. 

Unlike other earthy scents, what sets saffron apart is that it’s not a base note but rather a more dominant, forward smell that you’ll pick up on as soon as you get your first whiff of a fragrance that contains it. 

Leathery

You’ll also notice that saffron has a leathery, dark quality. Leathery fragrances should bring to mind the smell of a fresh pair of leather boots or a leather jacket just off the rack. 

Although some people claim that the leathery smell of saffron makes it a masculine scent, at Snif, we believe that all fragrances are for everyone, and scent is genderless. 

Musky

Saffron is musky, which gives it a warm, complex layer. The musky quality of saffron might also contribute to its slightly sweet edge. The first time you smell saffron, try to see if you get the subtle honey-like sweetness that it brings to a fragrance. 

Spicy

Last but certainly not least, saffron has a spicy scent. Its spiciness gives it (and any fragrances that contain it) some heat. It’s unusual to find a fragrance that is equal parts earthy and spicy like saffron, which is part of what makes it such a singular scent. 

What Scents Pair Well With Saffron?

You know what saffron is and what it smells like, which means it’s time to consider the fragrances that pair well with saffron. In this section, we’ll talk about four scents that you can pair with saffron to make a rich, delightful fragrance. 

Rose

Rose pairs well with saffron as one of the most classic floral fragrances. Its powdery, light smell compliments the spicy depth of saffron, and their combined sweetness makes for an addictive smell. 

Strawberry

They say opposites attract, which may be part of the reason why saffron pairs so well with strawberries. Fruity, sweet, and green, the smell of strawberries offers the perfect complement to the earthy depth of saffron. 

Jasmine

A more complex floral scent, jasmine also pairs well with saffron. Unlike other floral scents, jasmine shares several qualities with saffron. It’s musky and rich, which makes it an ideal pairing for the “red gold” fragrance. 

Bergamot

If you’re a lover of Earl Grey tea, you’re well acquainted with the smell of bergamot. Citrusy and floral with a slightly spicy edge, bergamot pairs well with saffron because they have some characteristics in common while still bringing distinct fragrance profiles to the table. 

What Are Some Scents To Try With Saffron?

By now, you’re a certified saffron aficionado — so it’s time to explore some of the Snif fragrances that contain this one-of-a-kind ingredient. 

Rose Era

Rose Era is a floral, silky rose scent that somehow manages to be light, airy, and juicy all at the same time. 

With a combination of rose, strawberry, clean laundry accord, ambrette seeds, white moss, and saffron, this is the ideal fragrance for those moments when you want your scent to feel as effortless and chic as you are. 

Strawberry Moon

If you’re dying to make saffron a part of your new signature scent, another fragrance you can try is Strawberry Moon. Slightly darker than Rose Era, this poolside fragrance features jasmine, leather, bergamot, pink pepper, iris, saffron, vetiver, and amber woods. The result is a floral, musky, leathery scent that’s old-school cool. 

Your New Go-To

Look no further than saffron for your new fragrance go-to. With uses dating back to ancient times, it’s no wonder why this ingredient has stood the test of time in the world of perfumery. 

Make saffron your new signature scent today with Rose Era or Strawberry Moon, and get ready to turn heads in every room you walk into. 

Sources:

Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Clinical Trial | NIH

Analysis of Volatile Components of Jasmine and Jasmine Tea during Scenting Process | NIH 

Vetiver Essential Oil in Cosmetics: What Is New? | NIH

Historical uses of saffron: Identifying potential new avenues for modern Research | ResearchGate