Jasmine smells like all your favorite romantic comedies compiled into one never-ending movie of passion and happiness. This beloved flower’s scent is rich, sweet, fruity, and sensual, symbolizing seduction, femininity, and love. Here at Sweet U Candles, we feature the intoxicating floral fragrance of jasmine in many of our luxury candles.
In this article, we’re excited to discuss what jasmine smells like, where it comes from, and the benefits its aroma can bring you.
What is Jasmine?
Jasmine (Jasminum) is a genus of shrubs and vines with around 200 species native to warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Surprisingly, jasmine belongs to the olive tree family (Oleaceae), which includes notable members like the olive and ash trees. Different species of jasmine grow in various shapes and sizes, with either deciduous or evergreen leaves.
Jasmine is best known for its star-shaped flowers, typically around 2.5 cm in diameter, and comes in colors such as white, yellow, and occasionally red. Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), also known as poet's jasmine, is one of the most popular and aromatic varieties. Other species frequently used in perfumery and candle fragrances include Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) and Spanish jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum).
What Does Jasmine Smell Like?
The scent of jasmine is rich, sweet, fruity, and sensual, with a slight animalistic edge that gives it a musky quality. The combination of feminine sweetness and masculine wildness makes jasmine universally attractive. The exact smell of jasmine can vary among species, with some being sweeter, muskier, or slightly camphoraceous.
**Floral**: Rich and intense
**Sweet**: Almost honey-like
**Fruity**: With a touch of fruitiness
**Sensual**: Exotic and intoxicatingly warm
**Animalistic**: Slightly musky
For example, Spanish Jasmine can smell creamy and slightly like white peach, while Arabian jasmine tends to be lighter and fruitier, with a hint of vanilla. Jasmine’s heavenly warmth can create a mood of pure bliss, evoking daydreams of dancing under a starry sky.
Where Does the Jasmine Scent Come From?
Jasmine’s unique scent owes much to the molecules indole and methyl dihydrojasmonate. Indole contributes to the animalistic quality, while methyl dihydrojasmonate adds a warm, floral freshness.
The essential oil of jasmine, known as jasmine absolute, used to be extracted through enfleurage, a process involving pressing the flowers with fat and then extracting the oil from the fat. Today, solvent extraction is used instead, as the delicate jasmine flowers can be damaged by steam distillation or cold press methods. It takes approximately 8,000 hand-picked blooms to produce just one milliliter of jasmine absolute.
Benefits of Jasmine in Aromatherapy
Jasmine, often called “the king of essential oils,” offers many health benefits. It has antibacterial properties, with studies showing it can fight off bacteria like E. coli and fungi like candida. Jasmine is also known as “the perfume of love” in Hindu and Muslim cultures, and some studies suggest it can stimulate feelings of arousal.
In aromatherapy, jasmine is used to enhance mood, boost energy levels, and reduce anxiety. Research has shown that jasmine can increase the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, helping to relax and soothe the mind. You can enjoy jasmine’s numerous benefits by adding a few drops of essential oil to a bath or diffuser, or by lighting one of our jasmine-scented candles.
Our Favorite Jasmine Candles
At Sweet U Candles, we incorporate the sweet and exotic heart note of jasmine into many of our luxury candles:
**After First Rain**
Embrace the essence of a Southern summer with our must-have Honeysuckle Jasmine Candle. This candle is infused with the sweet, floral notes of lemon, ginger, jasmine, and honeysuckle, and is grounded in a base of violet, powder, wood, and amyris. It’s perfect for those who love to surround themselves with the nostalgic, honey-sweet aroma of summer blooms.
**Stargazer Lily**
Elevate your space with our customer favorite, the Stargazer Lily Candle. This handcrafted soy candle embodies elegance with every burn, offering an authentic Lily scent enriched with lush green undertones. It's not merely a candle but an aromatic journey, transporting you to a fragrant floral paradise.
**Paradise Plum**
Indulge in the sweet serenity of our Paradise Plum Candle, a fragrant ode to summer's lush bounty. With a heart of ripe plum and black cherry, accented by zesty citrus and softened with notes of vanilla, sugar, and amber, this candle casts a soothing, yet vibrant aroma. Light musk and freesia add a subtle earthiness, creating a balanced and inviting scent that fills your space with the essence of tranquility and bliss.
**Seaside Plumeria**
The journey begins with a refreshing sea salt top note, setting the stage for a tropical adventure. As the candle burns, it reveals a heart of lily of the valley and jasmine, adding a rich floral depth that pays tribute to the lush landscapes of the islands. The experience culminates in a warm embrace of light musk and benzoin, enveloping you in the cozy warmth of a tropical sunset.
Experience the captivating aroma of jasmine and the luxurious ambiance it creates with our premium candles. At Sweet U Candles, we are dedicated to crafting scents that enrich your environment and bring a sense of tranquility and bliss.
