What does the word coffee mean?
The word "coffee" comes from the Arabic "qahwah", meaning "wine". Early cafés were social gathering places where people drank coffee, wine and other beverages. Today, coffee is an international beverage and a popular ingredient in cooking and perfumery.
In the beginning...
Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where it had been consumed as a beverage for centuries. In the 16th century, it was introduced to the Arab world, where it quickly became popular as a stimulating and social drink. From there, it spread throughout Europe and became a common drink in cafés and homes.
In perfumery, coffee began to be used in recent decades. Perfumers have discovered that coffee notes add a warm, carnal dimension to fragrances, in addition to their stimulating and energizing power. As a result, many men's and women's fragrances today contain coffee notes, making it a popular and appreciated ingredient.
DID YOU KNOW? The Ethiopian legend of the "Dance of the Energized Goats" recounts that the shepherd Kaldi discovered coffee by observing his herd of goats, which were very energetic after eating the berries of an unknown tree. Intrigued, he tasted the fruit himself and felt a new sense of energy. Kaldi shared his discovery with a local monk who had the idea of infusing the berries in hot water, thus giving birth to the first cup of coffee.
Origins of coffee
Coffee has been appreciated for centuries for its stimulating properties and strong taste. The first traces of its consumption date back to Ethiopia, where it was used in ritual ceremonies and medicinal practices. Over time, coffee sellers moved to Arab lands, where the drink became a symbol of social gathering and conviviality. Cafés became places where men could meet and talk.
As it spread throughout the world, coffee acquired an important place in culinary culture and perfumery. Coffee notes in perfumery have become very popular in recent years, offering a warm, sensual scent that adds a unique sophistication to any fragrance composition.
Cultivating coffee trees
Growing coffee begins with the careful selection of a suitable location in tropical regions, generally between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Seeds, also known as "coffee", or seedlings are carefully planted in well-drained soil, preferably rich in organic matter, and at an appropriate altitude. Climate plays an essential role in the growth of the coffee plant, which requires an average temperature and regular rainfall to flourish.
Over time, coffee trees require continuous attention from farmers. Watering, protection against pests and diseases, and regular pruning are all essential farming practices to ensure optimum development of the plants. After several years, the trees begin to flower, and these flowers give rise to red or purple fruits, called coffee cherries, which ripen slowly over several weeks.
Once ripe, the coffee is harvested. This is a crucial stage, and can be done by hand, a traditional method that ensures careful selection of the cherries, or mechanically for large plantations. After harvesting, the coffee beans are extracted from the cherries and undergo a treatment process. Depending on the method used, the beans are either washed and pulped to obtain a "washed" coffee, or sun-dried with the pulp intact for a "natural" coffee. Finally, the beans are roasted at specific temperatures to develop their characteristic flavor, ready to be ground and prepared to offer a delicious cup of coffee, much appreciated throughout the world.
What do you know about coffee in perfumery?
Different extraction methods can be used to obtain the coffee accord used in perfumery. The most common is supercritical CO2 extraction, which preserves the rich, subtle scent of coffee without altering its olfactory quality.
The olfactory profile of coffee in perfumery is rich and captivating. It brings a deep, bewitching warmth, with sweet notes of roasted coffee, cocoa and sometimes caramel. Coffee accords can also reveal woody, spicy or floral facets, depending on the other ingredients present in the composition.
Coffee is often used in oriental, gourmand and woody fragrances to add a seductive, comforting aroma. It can also be combined with vanilla, tobacco, musk, citrus or floral notes, creating bold, sophisticated accords. Adding coffee to a fragrance can bring a touch of intensity and depth, as well as a feeling of warmth and comfort that evokes the pleasure of freshly ground coffee.
INTERESTING FACT!
Coffee's benefits and virtues extend far beyond the beverage! In cosmetics, it offers gentle exfoliation and promotes radiant skin thanks to its antioxidant properties. In gardening, coffee grounds are used as a natural fertilizer and pest repellent. In decoration, it is used as a natural dye for fabrics and paper, adding warm, authentic nuances. Coffee also has a practical use, neutralizing unpleasant odors in the refrigerator or on hands after cooking. Versatile and eco-responsible, coffee enriches our daily lives with its many uses.
UNUSUAL FACT! The lethal dose of caffeine for a human being is 10g, or around 100 standard cups of coffee!
Popular coffee perfumes
Whether for men or women, coffee fragrance has seduced the greatest perfumers. If you like coffee, here is a selection of the best coffee perfumes on the market:
• Maison Martin Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette features a combination of notes that mimic the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the atmosphere of a coffee shop
• Noir Exquis by L'Artisan Parfumeur, is a unique blend of the notes of coffee, caramel and orange blossom.
• A Men Pure Coffee eau de toilette by Thierry Mugler, which blends coffee in the heart note and cedarwood in the top and base notes. There's also the A Men Pure Tonka eau de parfum, in which coffee notes are combined with the gourmand notes of tonka bean.
• Cacharel's signature scent eau de toilette Amor Amor Forbidden Kiss also uses coffee blended with top notes of mandarin and grapefruit. This is followed by heart notes of peony and frangipani. Finishing with base notes of pink berries and musk.
• Finally, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium eau de parfum belongs to the floral olfactory family. This floral coffee eau de parfum is a vibrant and compelling perfume for women. With the use of coffee in fragrances, consumers can discover unique fragrances that evoke the familiar, comforting smell of their favorite beverage.
Other fragrances where coffee note plays a significant role include: Black Vetyver Cafe by Jo Malone London, Maison Martin Margiela Replica Coffee Break, Fresh Brewed Coffee by Demeter Fragrance, Intense Café by Montale, Café Rose by Tom Ford and New York Nights by Bond No 9.
Who knows, maybe one day Bon Parfumeur, our 100% made-in-France perfume brand, will offer coffee fragrances! In any case, don't hesitate to visit our website or come and see us in store!
