Perfect Matcha: The Rise of Green Tea in Modern Perfumery

We’re positively going mad for green tea and matcha notes in fragrances at the moment, and with good reason! These delicate yet distinctive aromas have captured the imagination of both perfumers and fragrance enthusiasts, offering a refreshing olfactory alternative to the more usual citrus splash of brightness we know so well.

While we’ll be exploring an iconic green tea scent in a future blog post, this time we’re examining how modern perfumers are utilising these notes to create innovative and captivating fragrances that speak to our current sensibilities.

When incorporated into a composition, green tea and matcha notes bring a unique combination of freshness and depth, offering a slightly bitter, herbaceous character that can be simultaneously invigorating and calming. What makes green tea and matcha notes so appealing in contemporary fragrance is their ability to evoke both tradition and innovation. They carry cultural significance and ceremonial weight while simultaneously feeling fresh and modern. These notes speak to our desire for clean, natural elements in our fragrances, offering complexity without heaviness; and in a world where wellness and mindfulness have become central to our daily rituals, it’s little wonder that these contemplative notes have found their way into our fragrance wardrobes, too.

So, let’s take a soothingly scented sip and ponder some of our favourite contemporary interpretations of green tea and matcha perfumes…

Wales Perfumery Star (Seren in Welsh) captures the beauty of the Welsh night sky with remarkable precision. Opening with zesty yuzu and cedrat that evoke sparkling starlight, the fragrance showcases a heart of green tea absolute that creates a serene, contemplative quality. This translucent tea note perfectly complements the jasmine, magnolia and waterlily, before gracefully settling into a base of sandalwood, tonka and ambrette seed that offers comforting warmth reminiscent of earth beneath a starlit heaven.

£64 for 30ml eau de parfum walesperfumery.com

Le Labo’s Thé Matcha 26 embraces the ceremonial aspects of matcha culture. The Japanese tradition of drinking matcha tea transcends mere consumption, and similarly, this fragrance offers much more than a pleasant scent – it provides a moment of introspection. The powdery tea accord envelops the wearer with a creamy hint of fig while textural cedar grounds the composition. Sweet orange adds a revitalising brightness, and a whisper of vetiver provides additional earthy comfort. The overall effect is one of meditative calm, inviting us to pause and breathe deeply.

From £74 for 15ml eau de parfum lelabofragrances.com

Widian Rose Arabia Cotton captures the gentle purity of green tea drying in the summer sun, complemented by fresh lemon. The fragrance opens with a soft, airy sweetness reminiscent of sugar-dusted cotton candy carried on a warm breeze. As it develops, clean, crisp notes of orange blossom and jasmine emerge, while a hint of vanilla evokes cosy afternoons wrapped in fluffy blankets. The subtle foundation of wood and patchouli creates a serene, comforting aura. The green tea note here is delicate and transparent, adding a refreshing clarity to the composition.

£156 for 100ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

Floral Street’s Sweet Almond Blossom presents a fruity, floral, gourmand interpretation of matcha. This daydreamer’s fantasy combines mouth-watering natural pomelo and juicy passionfruit floating over clouds of delicate apple blossom. The matcha tea note provides an unexpected crisp, green explosion that beautifully balances the creamy vanilla, sandalwood, and nutty tonka bean. Here, the matcha adds a contemporary edge to what might otherwise be a traditionally sweet composition, demonstrating how these notes can transform familiar fragrance families.

£74 for 50ml eau de parfum floralstreet.com

Penhaligon’s A Kiss of Bliss refines the brand’s rich heritage in a creation designed to fill your day with moments of optimism. Reminiscent of a verdant summer’s day, the fragrance presents bergamot, green clover and rose at the top, followed by a heart of heliotrope, matcha accord and jasmine absolute. The base of moss, musk and patchouli provides lasting invigoration. The matcha accord here is particularly noteworthy for its ability to bridge the gap between the bright opening and the earthy base, creating a seamlessly soothing olfactory journey.

£215 for 100ml eau de parfum penhaligons.com

As we continue to seek moments of calm in our hectic lives, these contemplative notes provide an olfactory respite—a breath of fresh air captured in a bottle. The current matcha madness in perfumery reflects our collective yearning for balance, mindfulness, and a connection to rituals that encourage us to slow down and appreciate the moment. Whether you’re a dedicated tea enthusiast or simply curious about these emerging notes, there’s never been a better time to explore the verdant world of green tea and matcha in fragrance.

Written by Suzy Nightingale