Introduction: Why Gourmand Fragrances Are Dominating 2025
Gourmand fragrances — those evocative scents reminiscent of food and sweetness — are having a major moment. The trend is more than fleeting; it's resonating deeply with Gen Z audiences and beyond. Searches for “gourmand fragrances” have soared by nearly 170% year-over-year, while launches have spiked 24% in just the past year. Source.
Cultural shifts are accelerating this surge. Appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1 treatments are changing how people experience food, leading them to crave sensory indulgence in other ways — like fragrances. Source.
Influencers and TikTok culture only fuel the fire: “Why does Gen Z smell like sugar?” asks Vox, highlighting how dessert-like perfumes are bolstering emotional connection, nostalgia, and visibility on social feeds. Source.
Section 1: Evolution of Gourmand — From Sticky Sweet to Sophisticated Savory
Traditional Gourmands: Irresistibly Sweet
Historically, gourmand perfumes have been built around undeniably edible accords: vanilla, caramel, chocolate, musk, or tonka bean. Think classic dessert-like perfumes that evoke warmth and nostalgia.
Neo-Gourmand: The Refined Revolution
Enter the neo-gourmand trend — complex and unexpectedly elegant. These fragrances retain familiar sweetness but introduce savory and earthy ingredients like olive, truffle, basil, tomato, or buttered toast. The result? A layered, nuanced scent experience that feels more mature and artful. Source.
Sunlit Gourmands: The Summer 2025 Twist
Summer 2025 brought its own gourmand spin — lightness, milkiness, and global influence. Think toasted sugar, coconut milk, heavy cream, and even savory creams like soy sauce and truffle playing alongside floral and fruity notes. Source.
Section 2: What’s Driving the Scent Surge
Emotional Escapism & Nostalgia
Gourmand scents offer more than fragrance — they’re a sensory escape. Demi Rawling of Sniff, a fragrance-discovery app, emphasizes how “the allure of these scents lies in their ability to combine the past and present, creating a comforting experience.”
Societal & Media Influence
From appetite-suppressing drugs redirecting desires to scent, to Gen Z’s digital storytelling through scent collections, the trend is multidimensional. TikTok users and beauty influencers showcase sugary, nostalgic scents — fueling demand for both established and innovative gourmand creations.
Ingredient Innovation & Perfumery Artistry
Perfumers are playing chef — blending savory, creamy, nutty, and milky accords in new ways. The explosion of scent formats (body mists, oils, foams) supports layered, long-lasting, and sensory-rich experiences.
Section 3: Editor-Endorsed Stunners & Tried-and-True Favorites
Editor-Favorite Fall Pick: Le Monde Gourmand – Pumpkin Crème
A £25 seasonal gem, repeatedly praised as “autumn in a bottle,” with pumpkin spice, nutmeg, sandalwood, and musk. Beauty editors love how layering the perfume with body oils and creams amplifies depth and longevity. Source.
Cult Icons & New Launches to Watch
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Tom Ford Lost Cherry: Luxurious, cherry-tonka blend that remains a cult gourmand.
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Henry Rose Vanilla + Tonka Bean: Nostalgic warmth, frequently trending on socials.
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Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger: A subtly spiced, elegant gourmand staple.
Autumn 2025 New Icons:
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Jo Malone London Amber Labdanum Cologne Intense: Smoked amber, vanilla, and bitter orange.
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Phlur Mrs Smith Hair & Body Mist: Fruity gourmand with apple and praline.
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Fendi Eaux d’Artifice: A mineral and salty gourmand inspired by Rome.
Section 4: Trending Gourmand Products You Can't Miss
Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight Eau De Toilette
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Price: £49.60
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Notes: Madeleine accord, amber, vanilla
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Why It’s Loved: Nostalgic sweetness with elegance.
Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Body Mist
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Price: £23.20
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Notes: Pistachio, caramel, vanilla, salted popcorn vibes
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Why It’s Loved: 39,000+ reviews; a TikTok favorite for youthful layering.
Oakcha Nectar Whirl
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Price: $32.95
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Notes: Caramel, coconut, almond macaron, patchouli, sugared amber
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Why It’s Loved: A unisex gourmand that balances playful sweetness with sophistication.
Oakcha Berry Bonbon
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Price: $32.95
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Notes: Raspberry, pistachio, sugared violet, caramel, vanilla cream
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Why It’s Loved: A fruity-sweet twist with depth, perfect for autumn layering.
Section 5: How to Layer Gourmand Fragrances Like a Pro
One of the hottest topics on TikTok and Instagram in 2025 isn’t just wearing gourmand perfumes — it’s layering them. Layering builds dimension, extends longevity, and allows you to personalize a fragrance signature.
Layering Basics
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Start with a mist or oil: Body mists (like Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62) or perfumed oils create a scented canvas.
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Add your hero EDP/EDT: Choose a gourmand perfume like Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight or Lost Cherry.
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Finish with depth: Apply a darker gourmand like Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum or a neo-gourmand with musk, truffle, or patchouli to give it richness.
Popular Layering Combos in 2025
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Cheirosa 62 + Lost Cherry → Pistachio, caramel, and cherry for a playful, date-night vibe.
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Pumpkin Crème + Replica Afternoon Delight → Cozy gourmand layering perfect for autumn evenings.
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Berry Bonbon + Skylar Vanilla Sky → Bright raspberry and sugared violet mellowed with creamy vanilla.
Section 6: Seasonal Gourmand Picks — Autumn & Winter 2025
Autumn 2025 Favorites
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Le Monde Gourmand Pumpkin Crème EDP (£25): Viral seasonal staple with pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and sandalwood.
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Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight EDT (£49.60): Madeleines, amber, and vanilla bring warmth and nostalgia.
Winter 2025 Luxuries
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YSL Black Opium Le Parfum: Dark coffee, patchouli, and vanilla — iconic gourmand intensity.
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Kayali Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli 64: A neo-gourmand with oud and sugared patchouli, perfect for party season.
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Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace: Marshmallow-like coziness with chestnut, vanilla, and smoky woods.
Section 7: Perfumer Insights — Why Gourmands Work
Perfumer Caroline Dumur told Allure that gourmands are thriving because they engage multiple senses at once:
“They smell edible, they feel comforting, and they look indulgent.”
Meanwhile, Clotilde Drapé at Mintel links the popularity of gourmand to cultural shifts — with appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1s, consumers are using perfume as an emotional substitute for taste indulgence.
For Gen Z, gourmands aren’t guilty pleasures. They’re identity markers, a sweet statement that says: “This is how I feel.”
Section 8: Trending Products Making Waves Right Now
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62
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Price: £23.20
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Notes: Pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla
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Why Trending: With 39k+ reviews and viral TikTok buzz, this body mist is the affordable gourmand go-to.
Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33
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Price: £100+
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Notes: Pistachio, whipped cream, marshmallow
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Why Trending: Hugely popular among Gen Z creators for its playful, gelato-like indulgence.
Sabrina Carpenter – Sweet Tooth
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Price: £20–30
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Notes: Chocolate, marshmallow, vanilla
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Why Trending: Riding the wave of the singer’s stardom, this gourmand is dominating perfume-Tok.
Burberry Goddess
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Price: £110
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Notes: Vanilla trio (infusion, absolute, bean), cocoa, and lavender
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Why Trending: One of the year’s most talked-about launches, blending vanilla warmth with sophistication.
Oakcha Nectar Whirl
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Price: $32.95
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Notes: Caramel, coconut, patchouli
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Why Trending: Affordable niche-style gourmand gaining traction as a balanced sweet-woody blend.
Section 9: The Neo-Gourmand Wave — Beyond Sugar
What makes neo-gourmands different? They’re not afraid to get savory. Think tomato leaf, truffle, or buttered toast accords balanced with musk and amber.
Recent Savory-Inspired Launches
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DS&Durga Bistro Waters: Tomato, basil, and citrus freshness.
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Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician: Roasted chestnut and vetiver.
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Byredo Eleventh Hour: Fig, pepper, and tonka bean — fruity yet savory.
These innovations attract niche fragrance lovers looking for maturity, sophistication, and curiosity in their perfumes.
Section 10: Why Gourmand Is the Future of Perfume
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Emotional pull: Nostalgia and comfort make them irresistible.
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Social virality: Sweet perfumes photograph well and trend fast on TikTok/Instagram.
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Accessibility: Affordable formats like mists, oils, and minis make entry easy.
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Longevity: Modern EDPs last 6–8 hours on skin and cling to clothing for days.
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Cultural resonance: As dining habits shift, indulgence is going olfactory.
Conclusion: Sweet, Savory, and Here to Stay
From pumpkin spice delights to neo-gourmand olive accords, gourmand fragrances are no longer a trend — they’re a movement. They reflect comfort, indulgence, and emotional escape in a bottle, appealing across demographics but especially to Gen Z and Millennial fragrance enthusiasts.
For Fragrance Notes readers, this is the perfect season to embrace gourmand. Whether through layering classics like Cheirosa 62, indulging in luxury icons like Black Opium, or exploring savory neo-gourmands, one thing is clear: the future smells delicious.