Bitter perfumes

The bitter accord is a scent family that highlights the sharp, puckering side of materials such as grapefruit peel, wormwood, bitter orange, coffee grounds or green leaves. It adds a grown-up, sophisticated tension that balances sweetness.

Wormwood, bitter orange and petitgrain, grapefruit, galbanum, artemisia and certain green notes are typical materials, and the bitter facet of bergamot peel is also widely used. Bitter notes usually show in the top and heart. They pair often with citrus, green, aromatic, woody and coffee accords. Bitter-leaning fragrances work year-round: fresh versions suit summer days, while darker ones fit autumn evenings.

The Bitter accord appears in 500 perfumes in the Fisfis catalogue. Below are the most popular scents where it leads.