Key notes: bergamot, neroli, mandarin, cyclamen, jasmine, peony, tea leaves, freesia, violet, cedar moss, oakmoss, musk | Sizes: 1.69 fl oz
Best Citrus: L’Artisan Parfumeur Histoire D’Orangers Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Inspired by a Moroccan sunset, L’Artisan Parfumeur Histore D’Orangers has subtle notes of white tea juiced with neroli and orange blossom. More of a citrus perfume than a flat-out white-tea scent, “This fragrance uses the tea note to accent the orange blossom and neroli,” Horowitz-Thran explains. Meanwhile, “The hint of tonka in the base highlights the citrus up top and the sheer creaminess underneath.” Though the price tag is steep—higher than an orange tree, if you will—note that this is an eau de parfum rather than an eau de toilette. As such, it has a higher concentration of scent.
Key notes: neroli, orange blossom, white tea, white musk | Sizes: 3.4 fl oz
Best Fresh: Kilian Paris Bamboo Harmony Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Kilian Paris designed Bamboo Harmony to smell like a spiritual cleanse for all the senses. With opening notes of bitter orange, bergamot, and neroli, the luxurious scent pairs white tea with fresh floral notes of green mimosa. As it dries down, earthy notes of fig leaf and oak moss evoke the blissed-out feeling of lying down in nature, post (or mid) meditation. Perfumer Calice Becker has said that the inspiration behind the scent is taking a sip of pure white tea in a bamboo forest. And if we never get to experience that particular sensation, at least our pulse points can.
Key notes: bitter orange, bergamot, neroli, white tea, citrus, green mimosa, fig leaves | Sizes: 1.7 fl oz
Frequently Asked Questions
What does white tea smell like in perfume?
“White tea notes [smell like] a beautiful blend of soft citrus, delicate florals like jasmine and lily of the valley, and gentle musks that create a sense of purity and tranquility,” says Honorine Blanc, master perfumer at DSM-Firmenich. “The notes embody a delicate balance — fresh yet comforting, subtle yet memorable. They have a quiet strength that lingers softly, like a gentle whisper that stays with you.”
What notes can be classified as white tea?
While the aforementioned notes—including jasmine and citrus—play well with the note, they shouldn’t be confused with white tea itself. To get a true white tea scent, Blanc says, it’s best to look for “white tea” in the list of notes.
How is white tea different from green or black tea in perfume?
“When comparing tea notes, the differences are quite distinct,” Blanc says. “Green tea carries a green violet accent, black tea feels rich, woody, and sometimes smoky; and white tea stands out for its softer citrus-musk profile. It’s that balance in white tea that makes it feel so clean, fresh, and calming”.
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