Green accord
Crisp, leaf-and-stem accords · galbanum, violet leaf, tomato leaf, fig leaf, cut grass, basil, mint.
What the Green accord is
The green accord evokes freshly cut grass, crushed leaves, herb gardens, or unripe fruit · constructed from galbanum (a sharp resin from a Persian umbelliferous plant), violet leaf absolute, tomato leaf, fig leaf, and synthetic green molecules (cis-3-hexen-1-ol, the "leaf alcohol"). Green accords add brightness and verticality to fragrances · they are widely used in chypres (Chanel No.19), aromatic fougères (Eau Sauvage, Azzaro Pour Homme), and modern fig-themed unisex fragrances (Diptyque Philosykos, Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée).
Related fragrance notes
The notes that contribute to a Green accord:
Common questions about Green
- What does a green fragrance smell like?
- Green fragrances smell like freshly cut grass, crushed leaves, herb gardens, or unripe fruit · crisp, slightly bitter, often with a vegetal or stem-like quality. The character is bright and outdoorsy.
- What is galbanum?
- Galbanum is a resin from a Persian umbelliferous plant (Ferula gummosa) with an intensely green, bitter, slightly piney character. It is one of the most important green materials in perfumery and is used in classics like Chanel No.19 and Balmain Vent Vert.
- Are green fragrances seasonal?
- Green accords work best in spring and summer · the bright vegetal character matches warm-weather mood. Some green-spicy fragrances (Aramis 900) cross into autumn through their warmer base accords.
- What is the most famous green fragrance?
- Chanel No.19 (1971) is the foundational green-floral, built around a hero galbanum accord. Balmain Vent Vert (1947, recently reformulated) is the historical green reference.
Browse other fragrance accords
The Green accord is one of 12 fragrance accords in our encyclopedia. View all accords.