What does the word caramel mean?
Caramel is a word derived from the Spanish "caramelo," which means "burnt sugar." Because yes, caramel is simply sugar that is melted over low heat and used in cooking to flavor and color desserts.
In the beginning…
The art of caramelizing sugar dates back centuries BC, when ancient cultures used cane sugar to create syrups and candies. Over time, caramelization techniques developed and spread to different cultures around the world. In 17th-century France, caramel became a popular ingredient in confectionery and desserts. Over the following centuries, its popularity spread to international cooking and baking. Today, caramel is used in a variety of fields, including perfumery, where its sweet, gourmand aroma adds a delicious and comforting note to olfactory compositions.
The history of caramel perfume dates back to 1992. Mugler's Angel perfume is considered a pioneer in the use of caramel in perfumery. This fragrance revolutionized the industry by introducing a bold, gourmand scent with caramel as a key ingredient. It has since established itself in gourmand perfumery, alongside vanilla, chocolate, and red fruits.
DID YOU KNOW? According to legend, in the 17th century, a French confectioner named Nicolas François Appert accidentally dropped a wooden spoon into a pan of hot sugar. Instead of removing the spoon, he noticed that the sugar had caramelized around it, creating a delicious treat. This accidental discovery is believed to have been the origin of the caramel candies we know today.
The different types of caramel
Everyone knows classic caramel and salted caramel. Sure. But did you know that these are only the two most well-known varieties of caramel, and that there are actually many different forms? Among them, we have…
Milk caramel : Also called creamy caramel, milk caramel is made by adding milk to the basic caramel recipe. This gives it a creamier texture and a slightly milky flavor. Milk caramel is often used in candies, dessert sauces, and milk-based desserts, such as puddings.
Blond caramel : Blond caramel is made by cooking sugar over low heat until it turns a light golden color. Unlike classic caramel, it isn't cooked as long, giving it a more delicate and subtle flavor. Blond caramel is often used to top dessert creams, fruits, or light pastries.
Fleur de sel caramel : This type of caramel is made by adding fleur de sel to classic caramel. Fleur de sel adds a more delicate and complex salty note, highlighting the sweet flavors of the caramel. It is often used to garnish chocolates, chocolate desserts, or artisanal caramels.
Flavored Caramel : In addition to the basic types of caramel, there are an infinite variety of flavored caramels. Ingredients such as vanilla, coffee, spices, coconut, almond, or even alcohol can be added to caramel to give it unique and original flavors. These flavored caramels are often used in pastries, ice cream, hot drinks, or confectionery.
The creation of synthetic caramel molecules...
In perfumery, it's not natural caramel that's used, but synthetic molecules that reproduce its scent. These have more precise and lasting notes than real caramel, and help preserve the environment.
Thus, perfumers use chemical compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, and esters to recreate the characteristic notes of caramel. These synthetic molecules are created using controlled chemical reactions, such as condensation, reduction, and modification of functional groups. Perfumers experiment with different combinations and concentrations to achieve the right balance of caramel's sweetness, richness, and warmth, while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The end result is a synthetic molecule that captures the essence of caramel's indulgent sweetness for use in perfume creation.
What did you know about caramel in perfumery?
Caramel offers a range of sweet and indulgent notes, from rich, dark caramel tones to softer, subtle hints of vanilla and fruit. Hints of caramel can be used to add warmth and depth to a fragrance. On the other hand, sweeter notes can bring lightness and delicacy. Caramel can also offer spicy and woody nuances, creating a complex and multidimensional fragrance.
There are many olfactory combinations with caramel, allowing you to create a wide variety of scented compositions:
• Floral-caramel accord : The combination of caramel with delicate floral notes creates an interesting contrast. White flowers like jasmine, gardenia or orange blossom bring a touch of femininity and sophistication to the deliciousness of caramel.
• Woody-caramel accord : Combining woody notes such as sandalwood, cedar or patchouli with caramel creates a warm and enveloping accord. Woody accords add depth and a more sensual side to caramel, creating a fragrance that is both sweet and seductive.
• Oriental-caramel accord : Rich and opulent oriental notes, such as vanilla, incense or musk, blend harmoniously with caramel. This olfactory accord creates a sensual and captivating fragrance, reminiscent of the sweet scents of oriental spices and desserts.
• Fruity-caramel accord : The combination of caramel with fruity notes such as apple, raspberry or plum creates a sweet and tangy blend. This olfactory accord evokes fruity confectionery and desserts, offering a sensation of freshness and indulgence.
• Gourmet Caramel Accord : Finally, it is also possible to explore more daring gourmet accords by combining caramel with notes of chocolate, coffee, hazelnut or vanilla. These combinations create rich and decadent fragrances, evoking the sweet and comforting pleasures of a savory dessert.
GOOD TO KNOW!
In terms of benefits and virtues, caramel, when consumed in moderation, can provide a certain gustatory and emotional satisfaction. Its sweet flavor can instill a sense of comfort and pleasure. However, it's important to note that caramel is high in calories and sugar, making it less suitable for a balanced diet. Therefore, it's best to consume it in moderation and favor healthier sources of sugar. In terms of olfactory well-being, caramel can evoke childhood memories and generate a sensation of sweetness and warmth, thus contributing to a positive state of mind.
Some legendary caramel flavors...
• Angel by Thierry Mugler is an iconic eau de parfum for women in French perfumery. With notes of salted butter caramel, vanilla, patchouli, and honey, Angel is a warm, enveloping fragrance that's perfect for winter evenings.
• La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme is a sweet, floral eau de toilette that highlights the caramel note. With its notes of praline, vanilla, and pear, La Vie Est Belle is a fresh and light fragrance, perfect for summer days.
• Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, this oriental women's fragrance combines notes of caramel and coffee. With notes of vanilla and patchouli, this sensual and bold fragrance is perfect for evenings and special occasions.
• Bonbon Spring Summer by Viktor & Rolf, features a tangy and sweet opening thanks to its citrus top notes. Caramel is used in the seductive and irresistible base notes, immediately captivating the senses.
• Scandal Snowball 2019 by Jean Paul Gaultier is a limited edition perfume created by renowned fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. This iconic eau de parfum embodies the brand's bold and subversive spirit.
UNUSUAL! The French designer is known for his bold and unique olfactory creations, and caramel is one of the key ingredients that distinguishes his iconic fragrances. One of Thierry Mugler 's most famous perfumes, Angel, launched in 1992, is often associated with the note of caramel. This revolutionary fragrance introduced a new olfactory category called "gourmande" in perfumery!
Bon Parfumeur rose perfumes
How about a trip back to your childhood with Bon Parfumeur? Our house offers two 100% French-made caramel fragrances specially designed for you!
• For a delicious caramel fragrance, choose eau de parfum 402 : A millefeuille of vanilla, caramel, and sandalwood. Almond blossom enhances the vanilla and caramel with its powdery, floral facets. Sandalwood, sweet and milky, warms this fragrance. A terribly addictive scent on the skin.
• For a caramel fragrance with floral and fruity accents, choose eau de parfum 202 : A truly refreshing fruit cocktail. Citrus fruits, watermelon and watermelon blend with the more velvety facets of jasmine and lily of the valley. These white flowers breathe a breath of lightness over the soft sandalwood.
“I raised to my lips a spoonful of the tea in which I had let a piece of caramel soften. But at the very moment when the mouthful, mixed with the sweetness of the candy , touched my palate, I shuddered, attentive to the extraordinary thing that was happening within me.” - Marcel Proust
