Currant

What Does It Smell Like?

Currant smells like biting into a tart berry—blackcurrant especially, which dominates perfumery. Imagine the sharp, almost peppery zing you'd get from cassis liqueur, married with a subtle leafy greenness and a hint of jammy sweetness underneath. It's neither purely fruity nor purely green; there's an almost savoury complexity, like the smell of blackcurrant leaves crushed between your fingers on a summer afternoon. Bright, slightly astringent, with a whisper of dark berries at dusk.

Origin & History

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) grows wild across northern Europe and Siberia, though now cultivated globally. The fragrance ingredient is primarily synthetic—a molecule called methyl anthranilate or isolated from natural extracts through distillation and concentration. Natural blackcurrant absolute exists but is rarely used due to cost and volatility. The synthetic version was perfected in the mid-20th century, revolutionising modern fruity-floral perfumery and becoming iconic in designer fragrances during the 1980s and 90s.

In Perfumery

Currant typically serves as a vibrant top or middle note, lending brightness and a slightly tart edge to compositions. It's often paired with florals like rose or jasmine to add dimension and prevent sweetness from cloying. In designer fragrances, it creates a juicy, contemporary feel—think fruity gourmands—whilst in niche perfumery it lends sophistication and structural depth.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 11 Fragrances