HAWTHORN

Hawthorn in perfume suggests a soft floral character with almond-like sweetness and powdery shading. Green, gently spicy or balsamic touches can give that softness more texture. The floral impression is the useful starting point: this is not simply an almond dessert note, even when the two share a sweet, nutty association. Its balance can range from airy blossom to a fuller, sweeter floral effect.

Perfumers can build hawthorn accords with aromatic materials such as anisaldehyde. Natural flower extracts also exist: research on Crataegus monogyna absolutes found floral, almond, anise-like and honeyed facets, with differences according to how the flowers were treated. Those extracts and a composed accord need not smell identical. A hawthorn note therefore does not establish one extraction method, a single formula or the presence of a natural extract in every perfume.