Harmonizing Fragrances & Food

For the last 10 years we have seen quite a while the increasing interest in learning about wines. Today workshops and courses about winery and trips to vineyards is no longer something for the wealthy and noble. Today everyone thinks of himself a sommelier, stirring glasses, smelling and giving an opinion either is good to serve or not.

Thinking of how close perfumery evaluation and wine evaluation are close, I decided to bring some fun to the + Q Perfume Blog and provoke your senses in a creative way. I propose to harmonize fragrances with meals, just like we usually do with wine. Find the right fragrance to create a certain atmosphere while eating a special meal.

I am presenting here a small list of my own experiences hoping to inspire you to make your own and share with us here.

The idea is not to get a perfume inspired in India and harmonize it with Indian food!! Check the notes, check the aura it is irradiating and see if it goes well with the ingredients of the food prepared.

Harmonized with Indian Food:

Hindu Grass by Nasomatto - notes of grass, green notes, tobacco and patchouli. For a complete review click HERE. The patchouli in this perfume is greener and leafy. The tobacco is very silky and honey-ish. It harmonizes well with chutneys, lamb dishes and yogurt dips. The powdery notes of the perfume blends well with cardamom sweets and Lassi drinks. vetiver notes harmonizes well with Paneer recipes.

TIMBUKTU - L'ARTISAN PARFUMEUR

Timbuktu by L'Artisan Parfumeur - notes of green mango, pink pepper, cardamom, karo karounde flower, patchouli, vetiver, myrrh and smoke incense of papyrus wood.

Mango and peppers goes with chutneys. Patchouly and incense make the atmosphere very Indian. Cardamom goes with Lassis & Paneers.

They are both very interesting and similar in some ways, that is why I think both goes well with Indian food.

Sushi

Harmonized with Japanese food:

Dzongkha by L'Artisan Parfumeur - notes of peony, cardamom, spices, white tea, vetiver, incense, cedar, leather, iris and papyrus.

This fragrance starts with a very delicate powdery note of spiced peony and liquified with white tea that somehow harmonizes very well sushis. It has a Japanese delicate aura of bonsais, origamis, kimonos and sushis, and because it is also slightly woody, it goes very well with Japanese futon & bamboo rooms. The incense, the papyrus and the powdery aura brings Japan to life. The fragrances has a strong kick in the beginning and it is fun with the spicy Wasabi.

Harmonized with French Bistro:

Le6 EDP by Ida Delam - Notes of Almonds, Star Anise (badiane), Aldehydes, Myrrh, iris, violets, musk, vanilla, white amber. For a complete review click HERE.

Le 6 Eau de Parfum goes very well with the French bohemian aura of French cafés and bistros at night. It extends the atmosphere of any place serving French food with a jazzy art deco or vintage style. Croque Monsieur, quiche, steak poivre, green salads with Mediterranean olive oil dressing, grilled bread with goat cheese and spices...they are all served with great wines and liqueurs, and they smell wonderful with a touch of vintage sensuality of Le6 EDP.

The strong coffee in the end is a must to blend with the chocolate - amber- vanilla notes of the perfume. Find a place were you can stay to listen to music, chat and eat for more than 2 hours!

Harmonized with sea food specially mussels and clams:

Fleurs de Sel by Miller Harris - notes of red thyme, coriander, angelica, rosemary, sage, iris, narcissus, rose, ambrette, bark, vetiver, moss and leather. For a complete review click HERE.

The salty fragrance of this perfume is like a jump into the sea. It brings the aura of the sea shore and holidays. It is a way to complete the experience once eating fish or sea food. If you will close your eyes, and taste the food, you will swear you travelled to Bartz sur la Mer or any cute town near the sea. The notes of rosemary, sage and coriander will spice up the food you are eating and bring aromas and fragrances into a live moving picture of Van Gogh's Arles.

Brunch

Harmonized with branch & coffee shop cakes:

New York by Bond N9 - notes of bergamot, osmanthus, mirabelle plum, coffee expresso, patchouli, warm milk, lilly of the valley, peony, precious woods, tonka beans, cocoa powder, musk. For a complete review, click HERE.

The fragrance itself is a journey to a coffee shop. Cakes, coffees, pancakes, breads, cheesecakes, coffee, teas, hot chocolates, strong expressos. It is all there just to enhance the aromas of a bakery shop or a nice brunch with family or friends in the weekend.

Harmonized with Turkish kebabs & arab food:

LOVE EDP - BY KILIAN

Love by Kilian - notes of neroli, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander. Absolutes of vanille, ciste labdanum, jasmine, iris and orange flower & water. Rose, rose concrete, honeysuckle, caramelized sugar, civet and white musk. For a complete review click HERE.

It blends well just because of the Nargila fragrance this perfume has. Nothing more, nothing less.

Harmonized with tea at 5 o' clock:

Petit Chérrie by Annick Goutal - notes of pear, peach, rose, cut grass, musk and vanilla. For a complete review click HERE.

The fruity nuances of this perfume harmonizes pretty well with fruit cakes, fruits salads, juices and teas. The aura is prettiness and naivité. Nothing more fit than tea at 5 o'clock. Slightly flowery, slightly powdery, fruity but not mouth watering, it has a royal aura, you will feel like a queen having tea in England. Or Antoniette having breakfast.

Chemical Bonding by Ineke - notes of citrus cocktail, tea, blackberry, peony, vetiver, amber and musk.

This fragrance is a whiff of citruses and tea. It will only extend the idea of drinking tea. It will take you to a tea house, maybe in Chine. Fruity teas, citrusy teas, rosy teas...you can have all of them in one bottle.

Fondue

Harmonized with Fondue:

Elixir de Merveilles by Hermés - notes of orange, orange pulp, chocolate, tonka, vanilla, vanilla sugar, cream, sandalwood, balm, cedar, frankincense, ambergris, patchouli.

The opening is an orange blast with alcoholic beverage. It blends well with cheeses and bread. It gives an special cozy atmosphere, and it extends the idea of eating fondue in front of the fire. the sugary notes and vanilla and tonka also fits chocolate fondues and some how it harmonizes well with the saltiness of the cheeses. It is a winter fragrance for winter gatherings such as fondue, raclette or cheese and wine parties.

This first list is rather short because this is something that I just started to experiment. Come here for more because I am sure they will be much more to list!

Vero Profumo reloaded!

VERO PROFUMO FRAGRANCES

photo credit: Vero Kern

VERO KERN SHOWS THE FRUITS OF (HER) PASSION

From 25th to 28th of march Vero Kern will be showing her Eux de parfums from her niche brand Vero Profumo at Campomarzio 70 (Rome). Her exclusive perfumes Kiki, Onda and Rubj were reconstructed with sensual exotic notes of passion fruit - a tropical Brazilian fruit.

I am personally very curious to smell these new precious jewels , since I have the originals and they are simply divine, just like perfumer Vero. One could not expect anything more exclusive, more creative, more carefully done... and here they come to surprise us. Can't wait to review!!!

Perfumes on line - Compra via Internet

Muitos dos perfumes que são avaliados aqui no + Q Perfume Blog não são vendidos em perfumarias comuns ou em grandes redes de lojas, como Renner, Americanas, Casas Bahia, Onofre etc... porém são possíveis de serem encontrados em sites especializados em venda de fragrâncias exclusivas ou de nicho. Além disso, muitas marcas disponibilizam venda online em seus próprios sites institucionais. Resolvi de qualquer forma, trazer uma listinha deles para quem ainda não descobriu o caminho das pedras:

Lista em ordem alfabética de sites on line que fazem entregas internacionais:

Aedes de Venustas - oferece perfumes, fragrâncias para casa, produtos para o corpo, para banho e tratamento de pele. Na área das fragrâncias são 45 marcas exclusivas entre elas By Killian, Tauer Perfumes, L'Artisan Parfumeur, Diptyque, The Different Company e muitas outras que aparecem aqui no meu blog. Inclusive eles possuem uma loja e fragrância própria.

Aus Liebe Zum Duft - Comemorando 10 anos de casa, o site alemão também tem versão em inglês. Oferece fragrâncias para casa, perfumes, cosméticos entre outros. Com uma variedade muito grande de produtos, o site está organizado em ordem alfabética e oferece também algumas marcas alemãs locais. Também possui uma fragrância própria.

Essenza Nobile - site alemão que também possui uma variedade grande de marcas, incluindo Jean Patou, Korres, Comme de Garçon, Nasomatto entre outras. Oferecendo preços muito competitivos, e um blog (jornal) muito bem escrito com matérias sobre os produtos em lançamento, o site oferece fragrâncias para casa, cosméticos (incluindo Ivo Pitanguy) e acessórios. Muito ágil e super profissional, comporta também a língua inglesa. Possui loja física. A equipe deste site é realmente apaixonada por fragrâncias e isso é um grande diferencial.

Lucky Scent - site americano que oferece perfumes, fragrâncias para casa, velas, cosméticos, chás entre outros produtos. Variedade significativa de marcas como Yosh, Parfumerie Generale, Miller Harris, Montale entre outras. Possui um bar de perfumes.

Neiman Marcus - site conhecidíssimo americano de venda de muitos produtos, inclusive perfumes. Trazendo marcas exclusivas como Balanciaga, Badgley Mischka, Clive Christian, Creed, Fracas e muitas grandes marcas com perfumes de edição limitada. Possui loja física.

Rei Rien - site americano com fragrâncias, cosmético, decanters e miniaturas. Possui inúmeras marcas, entre elas Jil Sanders, Schiaparelli, Costume Nacional, Etro entre muitas outras.

The Posh Peasant - com uma coleção mais restrita, o site oferece Teo Cabanel, Keiko Mecheri, DSH e mais algumas marcas.

A primeira pergunta que surge é a seguinte: mas como comprar um perfume sem conhecê-lo?

Por mais completas que as minhas avaliações possam ser, é impossível conhecer uma fragrância através de palavras. Lógico que se você se aprofundou no estudo da perfumaria, e conhece as matérias primas, você já sabe reconhecer que tipo de combinações te atraem. Caso contrário, minhas avaliações são suficientes para trazer somente uma curiosidade em conhecer o perfume e avaliar como ele se desenvolve na sua pele. Mas esta editora nunca teve a presunção de achar que poderia substituir uma experiência de realmente apreciar uma fragrância.

Portanto, a resposta é muito simples:

Muitos sites, senão todos, estão cientes de que o cliente precisa conhecer o perfume antes de comprá-lo, e que principalmente perfumaria exclusiva e de nicho, por ser mais cara, complica um pouco o processo da compra. Por isso existe um sistema de compra de amostras pequenas. Sendo assim, sugiro que você encomende algumas de uma vez só, pelo menos umas 05, para que o tempo esperado de entrega seja optimizado, para posteriormente fazer a compra do frasco inteiro. mesmo porque, alguns sites obrigam a um valor mínimo para compra de amostras.

Quanto ao fator segurança - hoje em dia os sites estão protegidos e possuem um sitema de compra através de cartão de crédito ou paypal.

E aproveitando o assunto, para aqueles leitores que andam com preguiça de sair de casa para testar um novo perfume ou para aqueles que moram em cidades menores e mais distantes, o site da SACK'S é muito bom para compra de perfumes de grandes marcas como Dior, Gucci, Givenchy, Armani, Calvin Klein, Acqua di Parma, etc... Além se ser seguro, oferece bons preços e divide em até 10 pagamentos e o prazo de entrega é de até 03 dias úteis em SP e RJ e de até 05 dias úteis para demais estados. Portanto amiguinhos, não existe mais desculpa para deixar de conhecer novos perfumes!

obs.: existem muitos outros sites de venda de perfumes raros, exclusivos e de massa maravilhosos na internet que oferecem vendas on line, porém antes de começar o processo de preenchimento de dados, verifique se o mesmo aceita encomendas internacionais. Pois aqui listei os que realmente aceitam e facilitam a compra. Compare os preços, valores de frete e formas de acompanhar a logística do transporte. Aproveite e verifique as promoções. A SACK'S por exemplo oferece preços excelentes.

KORRES GUAVA BUTTER - Manteiga de Goiaba Korres

KORRES GUAVA BUTTER

MANTEIGA DE GOIABA KORRES

photo credit: + Q Perfume Blog personal files

crédito: + Q Perfume Blog arquivo pessoal

KORRES is a Greek cosmetic brand founded in 1996 and selling their products worldwide. They were the first Homeopathic Pharmacy in Athens. Today they bring a vast collection of products of high quality and style.

+ Q Perfume Blog brings from time to time cosmetic and other products with delicate luxurious fragrances. Korres Guava Butters are very exclusive, specially GUAVA.

KORRES é uma marca de cosméticos grega fundada em 1996 que vende produtos para o mundo inteiro. A empresa fundou a primeira farmácia homeopática de Atenas e atualmente traz uma vasta coleção de produtos naturais de beleza.

+ Q Perfume Blog gosta de trazer para seus leitores fragrâncias em suas várias aplicações, saindo do mundo dos perfumes de vez em quando. Produtos que possuem fragrâncias especiais e qualidade superior. GUAVA de Korres é um produto que venho usando e que me traz satisfação absoluta. GUAVA em português é goiaba. Aquela fruta maravilhosamente brasileira!

Guava is a tropical fruit, with a very unique aroma, and rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3, omega-6, carotenoids and polyphenols - antioxidants. Because it is also rich in potassium, magnesium, and many minerals it is known as "super fruit".

This butter also ads avocado, almond and sunflower oils, quince and shea butters and red grapes polyphenols.

It is recommended for knees, elbows and dry skins of the heels. But since my skin is very dry, I am trying a full body experience.

Goiaba é uma fruta tropical com um aroma especial. E por ser rica em vitaminas A e C, omegas 3 e 6, carotenóides, polifenóis (antioxidantes) e muitos minerais, potássio, magnésio e outros nutrientes essenciais, é muito conhecida como a "super fruta".

Esta manteiga ainda combina óleos vegetais de amêndoas, girassóis e abacate, com mantega de karitê e marmelo e polifenóis de uva.

A manteiga é indicada para cotovelos, joelhos e calcanhares. Eu estou usando no corpo todo e achei fantástico.

Even thou avocado oil is too dense for tropical weathers, this one does not get sticky and it is absorbed by the skin pretty well.

Apesar de óleo de abacate não ser tão indicado para países de clima tropical, eu achei este creme de rápida absorção, não deixando a pele engordurada. mas, vale dizer que eu possuo a pele muito ressecada.

photo credit/crédito fotográfico: + Q Perfume Blog

Sunflower vegetable oil contains tocopherols, lecithins, carotenoids and waxes and they are very rich in vitamin E. They are also a protection to the skin against infections. It is commonly used in baby creams.

O óleo vegetal de semente de girassol contém tocoferol, lecitinas, carotenos e ceras, além de ser rico em vitamina E. São excelentes protetores contra infecções e muito utilizado em cremes para bebês.

The fragrance is very delicate, slightly sweet, fruity-floral, and it lasts a long time.

Different from the Brazilian perspective, Guava here is very subtle. This is what I enjoyed the most. I never found a single Brazilian cream with Guava fragrance that I could bare.

You will find KORRES at their website or to buy it cheaper, at Essenza Nobile.

A fragrância deste produto é delicada, ligeiramente doce, floral -frutal e perdura por bastante tempo.

Diferentemente dos produtos brasileiros, a fragrância de goiaba de Korres é muito sutil e luxuosa. Nada de coquetél de fruta com cheiro de produto barato. Este é o primeiro creme que eu encontrei com esta fragrância que eu realmente gostei. Maravilhoso!

Você encontrará KORRES no site institucional u por um preço melhor no site Essenza Nobile.

+Q Perfume Blog wants to thank Miss Fessler and Mr. Plitzko for making this review possible.

John Varvatos EDP - Pretty perfumes 03 review

Para uma avaliação em Português dessa fragrância clique AQUI

JOHN VARVATOS EDP

photo credit: Macy's

Launch: 2008

Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux/John Varvatos

Inspiration: She’s an uptown sophisticate and a downtown bohemian, but she is far from being all things to all people – she is ever herself. She loves socializing in the comfort o home, going out with friends to understated gallery openings, films, concerts and reading. She mixes high and low effortlessly – shopping at flea markets, vintage stores, jewelry auctions, and the hippest boutiques to create her confident, individual and uniquely chic style. This style extends beyond her wardrobe and is ever present in her home and her surroundings. She is a natural beauty with a quiet intensity born of intelligence and accomplishment. Unmistakably sexy, she exudes a soft sensuality that is universally appealing./some say he was inspired by his wife Joyce.

Olfactive Family: chypre- floral with ambery fruity nuances.

Olfactives notes of: coriander flower, georgian apricot, damascus plum, golden mandarin from Sicily, aromatic Grappa, rumbrum lilies, rose attar from Turkey, mango blossom from India, jasmine grandiflorum concrete from Egypt, high altitude narcissus absolute from France, Tolu balsam, Adriatic oak moss, styrax from Laos, patchouli extra pure, wild honey from venezuela, hibiscus seed from Ecuador.

Description by the brand: multilayered, feminine, sensual, elegant, modern.

Description by + Q Perfume: PRETTY, FLORAL, FRUITY, AMERICAN STYLISH

Sillage: good

Fixation: reasonable

Technical improvement: not noticed by + Q perfume Blog

Rating:✪✪✪✪

Where:

✪✪✪✪✪ - Absolute gourmet treat!

✪✪✪✪ - So pretty delicious!

✪✪✪ - pretty digestible

✪✪ - Anti acid tabs quickly!!!

✪ - leftover indeed!

Grappa di Nebbiolo

photo credit: vinigiaccai.it

Grappa is a fragrant grape-based pomace brandy from Italy, mostly made from the sterns, seeds and skin of grape - the "leftovers' of winemaking after pressing. Commonly served after dinner to aid the digestion, here in John Varvatos EDP it is served right in the beginning, with the top notes. It is also the inspiration for the design of the flacon.

The Grappa accord will come with mandarine rinds and dilute plums and apricots, with a delicate round of coriander flower bouquets. So pretty, so delicate and so chic that makes you kiss Mr. Varvatos on the cheek, and tell him that he must think very highly of us women. He sorta like the Valentino (fashion designer) of the fragrances. He know just the perfect way to make women become fabulous!

VALENTINO RUFFLED FEMININE BEAUTY

The top notes are cheerful, fruity and slightly acid. I am not a big fan of fruit salads, and once I understood I would get apricots, plums, mangos, mandarines and honey, I thought it would be one of those cheap sweety fragrances, that smells like you would eat for dessert. To my happiness John Varvatos EDP is very elegant, very urban, and far from resembling summer desserts.

If one day Chanel would become an American brand, I think this is the accord they would look for to make an American fragrance. It has a Chanel je ne sais quoi, and yet it smells very American.

Mango is not exactly my favorite fruit to eat, and also not a fragrance that I look for (unless if it is green like the one found in PC01 by Biehl or Jardin sur le Nil by Hermés). Ripe mangoes have this finishing touch of fermented decomposing stench that I can't bare. So, it may be the Queen of Tropical fruits, but I am not very found of it. At least here it was used the blossom of the tree and not the fruit.

The blue plum note is a treat for my senses - less sweet, more acid.

Jasmine and rose will give the prettiness expected in this fragrance. But one could expect something louder to call it a pretty in pink perfume, but Varvatos describes the lady of his inspiration as a natural beauty with a quiet intensity. Narcissus here is also caressing the skin with subtle presence. Lillies make me dream. Absolutely feminine and close to the skin bouquet. Somehow the migration from middle to base notes is different than expected. The notes vanishes momentarily - maybe high altitude flower notes made me out of breath? The lack of oxygen comprised my senses? I really did not understand it...

The base is rather think with resins such as Tolu, Styrax and deep notes of oak moss and patchouli. It would make me happier if the oak moss notes would be stronger. What we get is a dense patchouli, combined with honey giving a tobacco kind of effect to the accord. Styrax and Tolu could be more intense, but they just blend in. The hibiscus seeds are the last ones to show up - very nice.

Very chypre with hesperidic notes on top, rose-jasmine in the middle and moss and patchouli in the base. (Modern chypres can present a fruity accord, as we find here).

John Varvatos EDP is pink, charming, American, with a Audrey Hepburn kind of style. But I would prefer an updated Miss pretty, as shown here, walking on the catwalk wearing Valentino.

Audrey and her long cigarette holder

You find John Varvatos Fragrances at Essenza Nobile.

For our pretty fragrances review click :

Miss Charming by Juliette has a Gun- here

Love By Kilian - here

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Holly, the Varvatos lady of the 60's