Sesame

What it brings

A warm, toasted roundness.

Origins and uses

Sesame, Sesamum indicum, is an annual plant probably domesticated in the Indian subcontinent; it is likely the first oilseed crop grown by humans. It is now cultivated mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, in Africa (Sudan has become the leading producer) and in Asia, in India, China and Myanmar. Its seeds, raw or toasted, go into breads, biscuits, tahini or halva, and give an oil widely used in cooking.

In perfumery, sesame brings a toasted, milky, slightly nutty note reminiscent of seeds browned in a pan. It sits mostly in the heart, where it gives roundness and warmth to fresh or gourmand accords.

In our catalogue, it forms the heart of Kedu by Memo Paris, between a top of citrus, tea and ginger and a base of cedarwood and musk.