Apricot

About Apricot

Apricot is the fruit of a tree in the rose family and the genus *Prunus*. In perfumery, an apricot note usually means a reconstructed accord rather than an essential oil pressed or distilled directly from the fruit; aroma molecules and fruit- or flower-derived materials are combined to suggest flesh, skin, or dried fruit.

Scent Profile

Apricot feels slightly drier than peach, brighter than plum, and rounder than citrus. It can suggest juicy flesh, the soft fuzz of the skin, golden jam, or the concentrated warmth of dried fruit. A trace of tartness or astringency prevents the effect from becoming only sweet and gives it a more adult depth.

Use in Perfumery

The accord commonly appears in the heart, adding pulp to rose or jasmine and golden warmth to tea-like or softly leathery structures. Vanilla and musk emphasize roundness, while citrus and green materials lift the tart side. In gourmand composition, apricot can bridge pastry-like sweetness and fresher fruit so the whole does not become too heavy.

Did You Know?

Fresh and dried apricots smell strikingly different, and that range is part of the note's usefulness. By choosing which stage to evoke, a perfumer can move the same fruit idea from springlike lightness to autumnal warmth.