What is a gourmand perfume? Sweet scents without the sugar rush

We are an independent retailer of FAAN fragrances. Below: what gourmand means, why it splits opinion, and which of our bottles keep the sweetness in check.

Definition in one line

A gourmand perfume is one where edible-smelling notes lead the scent. The notes do not smell of real food, but they make you think of it.

Typical notes

• Vanilla: the backbone of most gourmands.
• Praline, caramel, sugar: sweet and toasted.
• Almond, hazelnut, coconut: nutty and creamy.
• Coffee, cocoa: dark and slightly bitter.
• Spices such as cinnamon and cardamom: warm and baking-like.

Fruit can join in too. Cherry, in particular, pairs with almond and coffee.

Why gourmand divides people

Some people love it because it smells comforting. Others find it heavy, like walking through a bakery. The difference usually comes down to how much balance the scent has. A gourmand with nothing to cut the sweetness can feel cloying. A gourmand with spice, wood, resin or something bitter keeps its shape.

It also depends on weather. Sweet notes bloom in heat and can feel thick. In cold air they stay close and cosy.

Gourmand bottles in the FAAN range

• Qasida Signature: the clearest gourmand. Almond, cinnamon, praline and vanilla over dry amber. Cardamom and guaiacwood keep it from being a dessert. Eau de Parfum, longevity 4, unisex.
• Qasida Queen: dark cherry, clove, jasmine, vanilla, amber and coffee. The coffee gives it a bitter edge. Eau de Parfum, projection 4, listed for her.
• Amjad Mystery: hazelnut, pear and frankincense on top, then rose, saffron and sambac jasmine, then sandalwood, vanilla and ambergris. It sits between gourmand and amber. Extrait de Parfum, unisex.

Qasida Bidaya, Qasida Senses and Qasida Purity also carry vanilla in their pyramids, but they lean resinous, fruity-floral and creamy-floral rather than gourmand. See the notes map to compare.

How to tell a balanced gourmand from a cloying one

Look at the pyramid for one dry or bitter note. Signature has cardamom on top and dry amber at the base. Queen has coffee. Mystery has frankincense, saffron and smoky rose. Then look at the projection: a sweet scent at 3 stays near you, while a sweet scent at 4 fills a room. Queen is a 4, so one or two sprays are plenty. Signature is a 3 and forgives a third.

Finally, read the tagline. "Praline, almond and amber warmth" tells you what is coming. "Dark cherry, coffee and vanilla" tells you something different.

Wearing gourmand in warm weather

It can be done, with changes. Use half the sprays you would use in winter. Put the scent on clothes rather than skin, because heat makes skin sweeter. Wear it in the evening, when the air cools. Or choose a lighter vanilla bottle. Qasida Senses has bourbon vanilla in the heart, but pear, raspberry and peony make it fruity and floral, and it is listed for spring and summer.

For a first purchase, Signature is the one we describe in most detail, and the full range has the others.

FAQ

Is a gourmand perfume always sweet?

Mostly, but the best ones add a dry or bitter note. In Queen it is coffee, in Mystery saffron, in Signature cardamom.

Is gourmand only for women?

No. Signature is unisex, Mystery is unisex, and the notes are not gendered.

What if the bottle is sold out?

Use the notify option on the product page. Delivery takes 3 to 6 working days in the Netherlands and 5 to 8 in the rest of the EU.

Related reading

• Vanilla in perfume and the FAAN bottles that use it
• Perfume families explained
• FAAN Qasida Signature described note by note