Most people consider saffron to be something you add to your food, to provide a satisfyingly pungent pop of flavour. However, saffron’s uses extend far beyond the kitchen. It’s been used in fragrance-making for many years, and is prized for its rich, recognisable aroma.

If you’re intrigued by the concept of saffron cologne, here’s some more information about it.

Saffron fragrance – what is it?

Saffron is known for being the costliest of all the spices. Indeed, some people even refer to it as ‘red gold’. Rewind to several thousand years ago, and you’d find the Pharaohs of Egypt dousing their bodies in saffron aftershave (or whatever the equivalent was back then), and the Romans used to throw it on the floor on special occasions, to fill the room with its evocative scent.

These days, it’s still valued tremendously, by perfume-makers and chefs alike. Unsurprisingly, you can find it in quite a few of the world’s bestselling fragrances for men and women.

Often, people are curious about the ‘saffron smell’. Just a touch of it in a perfume adds a bitter, yet sweet note, which some describe as being earthy or even a bit like honey. It has a leathery aspect to it too, which is perhaps why it complements exotic ingredients very well.

Is saffron perfume right for you?

Saffron is quite distinctive, not to mention potent. That’s why not much is needed in perfume-making – a little bit goes a long way!

If you’re looking for the following, a saffron perfume might be a good match for you:

• Something rich, deep and fairly potent
• A fragrance that’s reminiscent of the Middle-East or the Far-East
• A scent that’s warm and slightly sweet

Don’t worry, saffron doesn’t smell anything like a ‘cooking scent’ – when added to other fragrance ingredients, it behaves entirely differently. Neither will it dye your skin bright orange when you apply it – that’s just in food!

Saffron combines perfectly with the following ingredients:

• Leather notes. It works wonderfully with warm, soft leather notes; creating an overall scent that’s gorgeously deep and rustic. Our version of Tuscan Leather epitomises this – showcasing just how well the two scents work together. Think sultry, laid-back evenings in a gentleman’s club in Malaysia or Singapore.

• Sandalwood. Sandalwood is an aromatic, woody scent, which is often used as a base note in fragrances. It’s reminiscent of the Far-East, and blends seamlessly with saffron to become heady, enticing and rich.
• Amber. Amber is an ingredient you’ll often see in fragrances. Again, it’s another base note, and its warmth and depth make it the ideal companion for saffron.

If you’re not sure whether or not saffron is the right ingredient for you, it makes sense to test it out before purchasing a full-sized perfume bottle. Copycat Fragrances have 5ml sample sizes of all our scents, which makes trialling each one a really easy process.

Disclaimer: all products mentioned above, along with their labelling, are a guide and should not be confused with the actual fragrance brand. Any name trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective designers or makers. Please note, these perfumes and candles are not to be confused with the originals, and we have no affiliation with any companies mentioned. Our interpretations of the fragrances and candles were created through chemical analysis and personal development, and their description is solely to give the customer an idea of the nature of the scent. It is not designed to mislead or confuse the customer in any way, and does not infringe on the manufacturer's or designer's name or trademark.