Whether you have a go-to perfume, hoard samples and mini vials, or prefer to go au naturel, there’s no denying that our olfactory systems are constantly being bombarded with scents. Recently, you may have noticed a trend among fragrance houses releasing gourmand perfumes. What is gourmand, though?

Gourmand is a word with multiple meanings, but in the fragrance world, it refers to a scent that contains notes that smell edible. Think: fresh fruits, coffee, creamer, marshmallows, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, honey, nutty, and milky scents.

The Scents Smelled ‘Round the World

Why, though, are these suddenly everywhere? And why are we all going bananas (sorry, food pun) over them?

According to Dominique di Marino of the Spanish Perfume Academy, sweet aromas trigger a release of dopamine.

In the midst of turbulent global events, many consumers find comfort in products that offer them a sense of calm and familiarity. Think of them as a sort of olfactory hug. They tap into core childhood memories of baking in cozy kitchens.

In an April 2025 Forbes article, Bee Shapiro, the founder of Ellis Brooklyn fragrances, shared that while gourmand perfumes used to be more for teens, “Today gourmands are for everyone—gourmands have also evolved quite a bit.”

Evolved is an understatement from the sugary-sweet offerings of the early 90s. Now, gourmands include juxtapositions. They might smell like a tart cherry, combined with a spicy, seductive bourbon that lingers. Or maybe even smoke mixed with chocolate. They have, in other words, thrown out the kitchen’s sugar spoon in exchange for the entire kitchen’s worth of inspiration.

These new scents have their own name (naturally). They are named “Neo-gourmands,” and they include both sweet and savory offerings.

As the author of the Forbes piece, Laia Graves, writes: “The rise of ‘neo-gourmands’ scents, however, goes beyond traditional sweet notes and incorporates savory elements, bitter touches or umami flavors, inviting us to explore global culinary cultures.”

This evolution makes gourmand fragrances more mature and versatile, ideal for both day and night.

Multi-Sensory Appeal

In addition to traditional perfumes, gourmaund scents are also taking over the world of home fragrances as well as bathing rituals.

From the world of sugar scrubs, hair oils, facial serums, lotions, foams, and bath bombs, these scents help elevate the act of applying fragrance. It’s no longer a quick dab-and-done act, but it’s an entire ritual.

How to Stay Ahead of the Trends

According to Allure, there’s a current trend toward the fragrances of stone fruits, such as pears, coconuts, peaches, mangos, plums, and, of course, cherries.

Cherries have been en vogue since Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry took over TikTok and Instagram feeds. Could this summer’s Tom Ford craze be that of Bitter Peach? (I have to admit, I sampled Bitter Peach and I felt like I was having a deep conversation with my effortlessly cool and chic Mom. It was sweet, creamy, but also had a bite to it.)

Additional trends on the Gourmand forecast include an increase in fragrances that are odes to cocktails and caffeinated beverages. Think outside the coffee realm and slip into a clean glass of Green tea or a frothy matcha latte.

There will also be a continuation of the gender-neutral fragrance lines that have been taking the market by storm (hello, Le Labo , Byredo , Diptyque and DedCool).

Additionally, nearly every beauty brand is reportedly investing in gourmand hair mists, which is good news for those who want to smell extra yummy without the insanely high price tags of eau de Parfum. (These include this one from Phlur, these from Sol De Janeiro, and this Rose & Chocolate scented one from Le Monde Gourmand.)

Finally, florals (particularly roses, as noted above!) are said to be making a comeback, but with unexpected blends of edible scents mixed in —such as the Rose & Chocolat fragrance from Le Monde.

Key Takeaways

Gourmand fragrances are soaring because they tick every box for modern consumers:

• Emotional resonance: bringing back comforting, nostalgia-rich memories
• Olfactory sophistication: blending sweetness with spice, wood, and savory accents
• Multi-format immersion: creamy mists, oils, hair sprays, and lotions
• Pop‑culture amplification: celebrity-backed and social-media friendly
• Versatility: functional for day, night, and home
• Market breadth: accessible at every tier, from indie to luxury

Hope you enjoy!

What scent is the wildest you’ve heard of so far?