Amber · Natural material · Top notes, Heart notes, Base notes
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice made from the bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus, known in Indonesia as kayu manis. It smells warm, sweet and spicy, like cinnamon buns fresh from the oven. In perfume, cinnamon can appear in the top, heart or base notes, especially in amber and gourmand blends.
· Written by the FRAG team
What does cinnamon smell like?
Cinnamon smells warm, sweet and a little hot in the nose, like a freshly snapped cinnamon stick. At first, cinnamon feels sharp and bright. After a while, it softens into a warm, woody sweetness, like cinnamon bread.
The signature scent of cinnamon comes from cinnamaldehyde, which makes up about 90% of cinnamon bark oil. Because it is so strong, cinnamon is usually used sparingly in perfume so it does not cover the other notes.
Cinnamon from Kerinci to Sri Lanka
Cinnamon comes from the bark of several Cinnamomum trees. Cinnamomum verum from Sri Lanka is often called true cinnamon, while cassia comes from China and Vietnam. The oil is distilled from the bark, and there is also an oil from the leaves.
Indonesia has its own cinnamon, Cinnamomum burmanni, known internationally as Indonesian cinnamon or korintje. It grows widely in West Sumatra and Jambi, and Kerinci is known as the centre for high-quality bark with a high oil content. In 2023, Indonesia produced about 55,000 tonnes of cinnamon, close to a quarter of world output.
Cinnamon from top to base
Cinnamon can appear in the top, heart or base notes. In the opening, cinnamon gives an immediate warm, spicy kick. In the heart and base, it blends with sweet and woody notes, so the perfume feels like a dessert or warm incense.
Citrus and cinnamon feel fresh and warm at once. Vanilla and tonka turn cinnamon into something like baking. Clove and cardamom add deeper spice, and amber makes cinnamon feel thicker in the dry-down.
When to wear a cinnamon perfume
The warmth of cinnamon is pleasant in the rainy season or in the evening, for example when you meet friends or go out for dinner. On a hot day, choose a blend that pairs cinnamon with citrus so it still feels fresh.
