Mauritian Black Tea: Fragrance Profile

1. Overview

• Botanical source: Camellia sinensis (black tea variety).

• Origin: Mauritius, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean with a long tradition of tea cultivation.

• Extraction:

  • Black tea absolute or CO₂ extract (from dried leaves).

  • Often reproduced as a fantasy accord (since tea absolutes can be harsh, smoky, or difficult to use in fine perfumery).

• Known for its unique terroir: Mauritian black tea is grown in volcanic soil and humid climate, giving it full-bodied, malty, and aromatic depth.

2. Aroma Character

• Warm, malty, tannic, smoky, slightly floral, and fruity.

• Nuances:

  • Malty-sweet → similar to Assam, but softer and more rounded.

  • Woody & smoky → earthy, mineral undertones.

  • Floral-honeyed → subtle orchid/rose-like notes.

  • Fruity-spicy → sometimes compared to dried plum or cinnamon warmth.

👉 Overall impression: a deep, aromatic black tea note with malty sweetness and smoky-earthy elegance.

3. Chemical Composition (Key Molecules)

• Theaflavins & thearubigins → tannic, malty depth.

• Linalool & linalool oxide → floral freshness.

• Geraniol → rosy nuance.

• Ionones → tea-floral-woody complexity.

• Phenolic compounds → smoky, earthy dryness.

(Perfumers usually reconstruct tea accords synthetically using ionones, linalool, methyl salicylate, and smoky notes.)

4. Perfume Applications

• Functions as a heart-to-base note.

• Applications:

  • Tea-inspired perfumes → evokes refined, elegant rituals.

  • Aromatic-florals → blends beautifully with jasmine, rose, osmanthus.

  • Woody-orientals → balances spices and resins with dryness.

  • Fruity-tea blends → works well with bergamot, lychee, or mango.

• Blends well with:

  • Citrus (bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit) → refreshing tea colognes.

  • Florals (jasmine, rose, osmanthus, magnolia).

  • Woods & resins (sandalwood, cedar, incense).

  • Gourmands (honey, vanilla, dried fruits) → adds richness.

• Perfume inspirations:

  • Bvlgari – Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge (2006) → red tea accord.

  • L’Artisan Parfumeur – Tea for Two (2000) → smoky-spicy tea.

  • Phaedon – Black Vetiver (2011) → smoky tea with vetiver.
    (Mauritian Black Tea specifically is rare, but often interpreted through niche compositions highlighting malty-sweet black tea.)

5. Mood & Symbolism

• Symbol of refinement, warmth, and hospitality.

• Mood impressions:

  • Elegant & sophisticated → refined lifestyle.

  • Comforting & warm → cozy, malty depth.

  • Exotic & unique → tropical island heritage.

  • Meditative & grounding → ritualistic tea calmness.

 Quick Summary Table

In essence: Mauritian Black Tea brings a malty, smoky, aromatic depth to perfumery — combining warmth, refinement, and exotic character, often used to evoke tea rituals with a tropical twist.