Gourmand perfumes: vanilla, coffee and sweet scents explained
Gourmand perfumes borrow from food: vanilla, tonka bean, caramel, coffee, chocolate and fruit. They are the fastest-growing family of the last decade. Here is what they smell like, which well-known perfumes sit in it, and how to avoid a sugary blind buy.
What it smells like
Vanilla, caramel, coffee and fruit: the smell of a good kitchen, softened into skin.
You're warm, a bit playful, and you never apologise for liking what you like.
When it shines: Cosy days, nights out, winter, any time you want people to lean in.
The notes that keep coming up
Counted across the 85 perfumes in our catalog that lean sweet gourmand.
vanilla (34)bergamot (31)sandalwood (26)musk (23)tonka bean (23)amber (20)jasmine (19)patchouli (18)orange blossom (16)heliotrope (14)cardamom (13)cedarwood (12)
Where to start, by budget
$ easy on the wallet
- Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '71 (2020): gourmand, sweet, creamy; notes include Vanilla caramel, Sea salt, Tonka bean, Coconut blossom. source
- Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 (2023): sweet, creamy, gourmand; notes include Pistachio ice cream, Italian bergamot, Cotton candy, Cream. source
- Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0 Intense (2021): sweet, creamy, gourmand; notes include Bergamot, Lavender, Ambroxan, Cashmeran. source
- Armaf Craze: sweet, gourmand, creamy; notes include Cumin, Heliotrope, Vanilla, Amber. source
$$ department-store price
- Prada Candy (2011): sweet, gourmand, powdery; notes include White musk, Caramel. source
- Mugler Alien Goddess (2021): sweet, creamy, floral; notes include Coconut, Italian bergamot, Bourbon vanilla, Cashmere wood. source
- Mugler Angel (1992): sweet, gourmand, oriental; notes include Cotton candy, Cassia, Patchouli, Chocolate. source
- Dolce & Gabbana Devotion (2023): sweet, gourmand, citrus; notes include Candied lemon, Vanilla. source
$$$ a splurge
- Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia (1999): sweet, gourmand, powdery; notes include Orange, Star anise, Bourbon vanilla, Musk. source
- XerJoff La Capitale (2019): sweet, fruity, gourmand; notes include Strawberry, Caramel, Benzoin, Bourbon vanilla. source
- bdk Parfums Velvet Tonka (2021): sweet, gourmand, creamy; notes include Almond, Orange blossom, Tonka bean absolute, Bourbon vanilla absolute. source
- Montale Chocolate Greedy (2007): gourmand, sweet, powdery; notes include Dried fruits, Bitter orange, Bourbon vanilla. source
The best-known sweet gourmand perfumes
| Perfume | Main accords | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia | Sweet, Gourmand, Powdery | $$$ |
| XerJoff La Capitale | Sweet, Fruity, Gourmand | $$$ |
| Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '71 | Gourmand, Sweet, Creamy | $ |
| Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 | Sweet, Creamy, Gourmand | $ |
| bdk Parfums Velvet Tonka | Sweet, Gourmand, Creamy | $$$ |
| Montale Chocolate Greedy | Gourmand, Sweet, Powdery | $$$ |
| Tom Ford Bitter Peach | Fruity, Sweet, Gourmand | $$$ |
| Parfums de Marly Oriana | Sweet, Fruity, Creamy | $$$ |
| Prada Candy | Sweet, Gourmand, Powdery | $$ |
| Mugler Alien Goddess | Sweet, Creamy, Floral | $$ |
| Mugler Angel | Sweet, Gourmand, Oriental | $$ |
| Dolce & Gabbana Devotion | Sweet, Gourmand, Citrus | $$ |
| Burberry Her | Sweet, Fruity, Synthetic | $$ |
| Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani - Stronger With You | Sweet, Spicy, Gourmand | $$ |
| Kilian Back to Black, Aphrodisiac | Sweet, Gourmand, Spicy | $$$ |
Cheaper alternatives
- Parfums de Marly Pegasus Exclusif → Armaf Craze (8 shared notes)
- Creed Les Royales Exclusives - Sublime Vanille → Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto (4 shared notes)
- Amouage Sunshine Man → Prada Luna Rossa Sport (4 shared notes)
- Tiziana Terenzi Cassiopea → Jil Sander Sun (6 shared notes)
- Maison Margiela Replica - Beach Walk → Jil Sander Sun (6 shared notes)
- Kilian Back to Black, Aphrodisiac → Mugler A*Men Angel Men (6 shared notes)
Notes and accords from Parfumo via the TidyTuesday dataset; price levels are our grouping by house. Sources