Apple Blossom is a light, fresh floral note inspired by the pink-and-white spring flowers of the apple tree (Malus domestica). It belongs to the floral family and smells delicate, dewy and softly fruity, and because the flowers give no usable extract, it is always created as an accord.

What does Apple Blossom smell like?

Apple blossom smells airy, clean and gently sweet, with a faint rosy-green petal note, a watery freshness and a whisper of fruit rather than the crisp juiciness of apple itself. It is softer and less almondy than hawthorn and less tart than cherry blossom. Depending on the formula, it can lean fresh and green, powdery-rosy, or sweet and fruity.

How perfumers create Apple Blossom

Perfumers combine light floral materials such as linalool, phenylethyl alcohol and muguet aldehydes with fresh green notes, a trace of fruity esters and soft musks. Modern versions often add transparent molecules like Hedione for airiness, and a touch of apple-like material to hint at the fruit to come.

• Also known as: Apple flower
• Fragrance family: Floral
• Type: Accord (created by the perfumer)
• How it's obtained: Built from synthetic floral, green and fruity materials
• Key aroma molecules: Linalool, phenylethyl alcohol, hedione, fruity esters

Apple Blossom in perfume history

Apple blossom has long been a favourite theme for light toilet waters, soaps and talcs, particularly in the first half of the 20th century, when simple floral soliflores were widely sold in Britain and the US. It became strongly associated with spring and gentle, youthful femininity.

Apple Blossom in modern perfumery

Today apple blossom is a common supporting note in fresh fruity-floral perfumes and body mists, where it adds a clean spring feel without dominating. It also appears in candles, home fragrance and bath products.

How Apple Blossom wears and what it pairs with

It sits in the top and heart and is fairly short-lived on its own. Good pairings include pear, peony, freesia, magnolia, lily of the valley, green notes, rose and white musk.

Safety and regulation

Apple blossom accords commonly contain linalool and other declarable allergens, which must appear on EU labels above set thresholds.