The Sweet-Meets-Savory Fragrances That Smell Unlike Anything Else

Two decades ago, the mere mention of a gourmand perfume — with edible, dessert-like notes — was enough to conjure memories of Victoria's Secret body spray and the candy-striped interiors of your local store (a time when a tutti-frutti body mist was the marker of peak social status). Thankfully, for any Zilennials like me, our olfactory tastes have grown up with us. Fast forward to the present, and the modern gourmand has become the blueprint for evoking scent memory and nostalgia, albeit all grown up, characterized by approachable yet complex profiles. In a world that often feels chaotic, the popularity of sweeter, gourmand scents speaks to our collective craving for a little indulgence and a lot of familiarity. But if you’re a fragrance fence-sitter like me, the latest wave of gourmand releases pairs decadent sweet notes with unexpected savory elements, making these scents more intriguing and distinctive than ever before. From velvety butternut to tomato-infused sprays, we’ve rounded up our favorite food-inspired fragrances for your perusal.At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.BORNTOSTANDOUT Dirty Rice Eau de ParfumSince launching in 2020, South Korean perfume brand BORNTOSTANDOUT has been serving up provocative, rebellious scents that defy conventional codes, and Dirty Rice is no exception. A sensual, seductive fragrance inspired by desire and longing, it’s a playful amalgamation of sweetness and spice, with smooth middle notes of Basmati rice and milk.BornToStandOut Dirty Rice Eau de Parfum, $, available at SephoraJo Malone London Velvety Butternut CologneThis is one of those rare unicorn fragrances that defies easy description — but we'll try. The rich, creamy aroma of roasted butternut is lifted by top notes of fiery ginger and tart lemon, while a generous bunch of earthy, musky patchouli adds depth and warmth. It's decadent, comforting, and utterly delicious, especially on the skin, where it mingles with body heat to become even more inviting.Jo Malone Velvety Butternut Cologne, $, available at Jo MaloneAbel Miami Split Eau de ParfumIt should come as no surprise that New Zealand-born natural perfume label Abel Fragrances is leading the way in complex, food-inspired scents, thanks in part to founder Frances Shoemack’s career as a winemaker. One of the brand’s most recent launches, Miami Split, offers a rebellious and edgy twist on the iconic banana split dessert. Innovative and unexpected, this fragrance layers notes of green banana and sweet white oud, all anchored by three forms of Spanish labdanum — a spicy, warm resin — for depth and texture.Abel Miami Split Eau de Parfum, $, available at AbelFicifolia Best In Show Extrait De ParfumFew desserts evoke nostalgia quite like a Napoleon. This iconic mille-feuille-inspired treat inspired Melbourne-based Ficifolia’s latest launch, Best in Show, a fragrance that pays homage to the creamy, crumbly classic. Think nutty vanilla, but all grown up thanks to notes of cashmere musk and vetiver. Best in Show strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sexy.Ficifolia Best in Show Extrait De Parfum, $, available at FicifoliaPerdrisât Coquette Eau de ParfumAptly named Coquette, this syrupy-sweet, fresh yet tart creation from Australian brand Perdrisât is designed to evoke montages of sweet summer youth, reminiscent of sticky pavlova and days by the pool. The top note of passionfruit is feminine and effervescent, before softening into a creamier, more velvety blend of marshmallow and Chantilly cream. Perdrisât Coquette EDP 100mL, $, available at PerdrisâtTsu Lange Yor The Garden Set 3 x 10mlThe latest release from Troye Sivan’s fragrance brand Tsu Lange Yor is a vivacious and earthy treat for the senses. The Garden Set features three fragrances, all rooted in soil, vine, and sunlit return. Emotive and transportive, Fig, Orange Grove, and Tomato are designed for layering, personalization, and play.Tsu Lange Yor The Garden Eau de Parfum, $, available at Tsu Lange YorRoemy Resort If you’re ever in need of a summer escape from the winter blues, a quick spritz of Roemy’s Resort is bound to teleport you to an imaginary seaside hammock. Inspired by dreamy holidays gone by, vibrant notes of green fig and moss create a sensual, grounding base, while creamed coconut adds alluring depth and softness. Roemy Resort 55mL Parfum, $, available at RoemyDedCool Mochi MilkDedCool’s cult-loved Milk family of scents has just received the gourmand treatment with the release of Mochi Milk. A sweeter take on the warm, lactonic notes found in both Milk and Xtra Milk, Mochi Milk balances rice milk, marshmallows, and vanilla to deliver a hefty dose of nostalgic whimsy in a bottle.DedCool Mochi Mil