Which Jasmine Is Most Fragrant?

Jasmine is one of the most beloved and popular floral scent notes used in perfumery. Its intoxicating floral aroma has been prized for centuries. There are over 200 species of jasmine flowers, but only a handful are used for their fragrance. The most popular jasmine varieties used in perfumery include Jasminum sambac, Jasminum officinale, Jasminum grandiflorum, and Jasminum polyanthum.

This article provides an overview of the most fragrant jasmine flower varieties used in perfumery and evaluates their scents. It also provides some background on jasmine’s historical use as an ingredient in perfumes.

Jasmine’s history in perfumery dates back thousands of years. During the Tang Dynasty in China, jasmine became a treasured scent for nobles and royalty. The Egyptians infused jasmine flowers in oils to create perfumes in ancient times. Today, jasmine is cultivated worldwide, from India to France, Morocco, and Algeria for use in perfumes.

Jasminum sambac

Jasminum sambac is native to tropical Asia and is one of the most popular varieties of jasmine due to its intensely sweet and rich fragrance. Often referred to as Arabian jasmine, this night-blooming plant is believed to be originally from from India, Pakistan and some parts of China, though it has been naturalized in many tropical regions around the world [1]. The small white blossoms of J. sambac have a warm, heady aroma that has been described as honeyed and tea-like.

Jasminum sambac plays an important role in many Asian cultures and is often used to make jasmine tea. The fresh flowers are picked early in the day and combined with tea leaves through a process called scenting. The flowers release their fragrance into the tea over the course of several hours, infusing the tea leaves with their heady scent. Jasmine tea is popular in China and throughout Southeast Asia.

In perfumery, Jasminum sambac is prized for its rich, floral scent. The essential oil and absolute extracted from these flowers is an integral component of many designer perfumes [2]. A little bit of the essence goes a long way in providing the classic jasmine fragrance that so many fragrance lovers adore.

Jasminum officinale

Native to northern Iran, Jasminum officinale, commonly known as common jasmine or poet’s jasmine, is a vine widely cultivated for its intense floral fragrance. The flowers of J. officinale emit a delicate, pleasing sweet scent described as a light, musky floral aroma. In contrast to other jasmine species like J. sambac, the fragrance of J. officinale is more delicate and lower in odor intensity.

The essential oil and absolutes extracted from J. officinale flowers are widely used in perfumes, aromatherapy, and skincare products. The flowers can be processed to extract jasmine concrete and absolute, which are prized fragrance ingredients in perfume-making. Compared to J. sambac, J. officinale has a lower yield of these fragrance products. Still, the delicate, sweet floral scent of J. officinale makes it a valuable fragrance plant.

While less pungent than some other jasmine species, J. officinale is regarded for its fine, sweet fragrance and its role in perfumery. Both the essential oil and absolute of this plant contribute a light floral note to perfume compositions.

Jasminum polyanthum

Jasminum polyanthum is native to China and is known for its strong, musky-floral scent. According to Wildveil Perfume, it has a “creamy, white-green, and fluffy” fragrance that smells more like sandalwood than a typical jasmine ^[1]. The sweet-smelling flowers of J. polyanthum emerge as pink buds before opening into five-petalled, star-shaped white blossoms ^[2].

One of the notable features of J. polyanthum is that it blooms nearly year-round and spreads rapidly to provide dense cover. Its constant bloom makes it a valued source of fragrance for use in perfumes and aromatherapy ^[3].

Jasminum grandiflorum

Jasminum grandiflorum, commonly known as Spanish jasmine or royal jasmine, is native to South Asia. This night-blooming species is considered to have the most intense and sweet floral aroma among jasmine plants.(1) J. grandiflorum is the principal jasmine species cultivated for the production of jasmine essential oil and absolute, which are prized ingredients in high-end perfumery.(2)

The flowers of J. grandiflorum yield an absolute with a rich, honey-like fragrance described as tenacious and musky with undertones of coumarin. The intense and lasting sweet floral aroma makes this species highly desirable for perfumes. J. grandiflorum also produces a lighter, sweeter essential oil compared to other jasmine species.

Jasminum humile

Jasminum humile, commonly known as Italian jasmine or yellow jasmine, is a species of jasmine native to the Himalayas. It is a vine that produces bright yellow, fragrant flowers. Despite its common name, it is not native to Italy but was introduced there in the 16th century.

J. humile is one of the most powerfully and sweetly scented jasmines. Its rich, heady floral scent has been described as reminiscent of oriental perfumes. The fragrance is released most strongly at night.

While highly fragrant, J. humile is difficult to cultivate and not widely grown. It requires warm temperatures and decent sunlight. The vine can be prone to fungal diseases in humidity. These challenging growth requirements mean its flowers make only a small contribution to the perfume industry compared to species such as Jasminum sambac.

Fragrance Evaluation

There are two main methods used to evaluate and compare the fragrance of different jasmine varieties: expert panel scent testing and chemical analysis of key odor compounds.

Expert panel scent testing involves having a panel of trained scent experts smell and rate different jasmine varieties. The experts are often professional perfumers or scent researchers. The jasmine flowers are presented in a controlled setting, and the panelists rate factors like fragrance intensity, pleasantness, and longevity. Their ratings can then be compiled to determine the overall most fragrant varieties. This type of sensory testing provides subjective, qualitative data on jasmine fragrance.

Chemical analysis provides more objective, quantitative data on jasmine fragrance. Gas chromatography techniques like mass spectrometry can identify and measure the levels of key odor-active compounds in jasmine varieties [1]. These are compounds like linalool, benzyl acetate, and indole that give jasmine its characteristic sweet, floral scent. By comparing the concentrations of key odorants, researchers can better understand differences in fragrance strength between varieties on a molecular level.

Using both sensory and chemical analysis provides a robust evaluation of jasmine fragrance. The expert panel testing captures the overall human perception of the scent, while the chemical profiling provides detailed insights into the relative amounts of important fragrance compounds.

Most Fragrant Variety

When comparing the scent profiles of the most popular jasmine varieties, two stand out as the most fragrant: Jasminum sambac and Jasminum grandiflorum. Jasminum sambac, also known as Arabian jasmine, has a sweet, rich, and intense floral fragrance often described as reminiscent of honey or tea. The flowers are small but very fragrant, especially at night. Jasminum grandiflorum, known as royal jasmine or Spanish jasmine, also has an intense floral perfume, often described as warmer and more complex than the sambac variety. The fragrance is strong enough to fill a room when the plant is in bloom.

There are several criteria used to evaluate fragrance in jasmine varieties. The intensity or strength of the scent is important – a strong, heady aroma versus a light, subtle one. The complexity of the scent profile also factors in, with more complex layers and notes being desirable. Lingering aroma is another trait, as the longer the fragrance lasts the better. Based on these criteria, the Jasminum sambac and Jasminum grandiflorum varieties are consistently ranked as the most fragrant. Their rich, warm, multilayered scents have remarkable intensity and staying power.

In summary, both Jasminum sambac and Jasminum grandiflorum stand out as the most fragrantly perfumed jasmine varieties, excelling in intensity, complexity and longevity of fragrance according to scent evaluation criteria. Either would be an excellent option for gardeners looking to add the most powerfully fragrant jasmine to their landscape.

Cultivation

Jasmine plants thrive in warm, humid environments with lots of sunlight. The ideal climate is tropical or subtropical, with daytime temperatures around 75-85°F (24-29°C) and nighttime temps around 60-70°F (15-21°C). High humidity is also important, so regular misting or growing jasmine near a humidifier indoors can help. Jasmines prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.8.

Jasmines can be propagated from cuttings or by layering vines. For cuttings, take 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) tip cuttings from fresh new growth in spring and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Stick the cuttings in moist potting mix and keep them warm and humid as roots develop. Layering involves pinning vine stems to the ground and covering the pinned area with soil so it grows new roots.

To maximize fragrance when growing jasmine, make sure plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Prune frequently to encourage new growth, as flowers will be most fragrant when freshly opened. Harvest jasmine flowers for fragrance extraction just as they reach full bloom in the morning, when aroma is strongest.

Conclusion

In summary, jasmine is one of the most important fragrant flowers used in perfumery. The jasmines with the strongest aromas tend to be Jasminum grandiflorum, known as royal jasmine, Jasminum sambac, known as Arabian jasmine, and Jasminum officinale, known as common jasmine. These varieties contain the highest concentrations of fragrant oils called indoles, giving them their intensely sweet, rich floral scents.

Jasmine has a long history of use for its captivating fragrance. Originating in the Himalayas, jasmine cultivation spread along ancient trade routes to China, India, and the Middle East. Jasmine remains a staple in the perfume industry today, with many of the most popular women’s perfumes featuring jasmine notes. The labor-intensive process of extracting jasmine oil makes it one of the costliest perfume ingredients. However, its mystical aroma and ability to evoke romance and femininity continue to make it indispensable in perfumery.