This Valuable Spice Is Used in the Most Coveted Fragrances—Can You Guess It?

Key notes: May rose, saffron, black pepper, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, coffee, patchouli, incense, sandalwood, amber

Tom Ford's newest perfume is irresistible. Leave it to Tom Ford to reinvent the rose by weaving in surprising elements like saffron, coffee, and patchouli. The result is a perfectly balanced floral that can easily be worn day or night. 

Key notes: jasmine, saffron, cedar, ambergris

Thanks to TikTok and word-of-mouth reviews, Baccarat Rouge 540 has become one of the most popular scents available. Hints of amber and woods help keep this scent subdued, while saffron and jasmine add a bit of sparkle. 

Key notes: saffron, nutmeg, leather

This spicy scent from Zara pays homage to the city of Dubai. Saffron, nutmeg, and leather blend together beautifully for a warm, unique scent. 

Key notes: pomelo, saffron, juniper berry, black violet, accord cuir, cristal rose, blonde woods, raspberry, vetiver

For Byredo's founder, Ben Gorham, saffron was rooted in his Indian upbringing, as it's an important part of the culture in India. He wove the precious spice with effervescent notes like pomelo, raspberry, and vetiver into his Black Saffron scent.

Key notes: Kashmiri saffron, frangipani,
gardenia, yellow lotus attar, damask rose, Sri
Lankan sandalwood, vetiver

Like Byredo's Black Saffron, D.S. & Durga's D.S. also pays tribute to India. Each note is the perfect celebration of the vibrant country. 

Key notes: black violet, saffron, juniper berry

This subtle fragrance is the kind of scent you'd wear if you want people to think you naturally smell good. It's perfectly balanced and clings close to the skin. 

Key notes: saffron, orange flower, lavender

A hint of saffron transforms this floral-forward fragrance into something more complex. It's perfect for anyone who wants a sultrier floral.

Key notes: saffron, coriander, myrrh, coffee absolute, narcissus, vanilla, suede

If there's one thing Tom Ford knows how to do, it's blend together unexpected notes and turn them into a perfectly balanced scent. Saffron and coriander add a spicy edge to sweeter notes like coffee and vanilla. 

Key notes: pink pepper, cardamom, orange flower, saffron, jasmine sambac, mimosa, iris, patchouli, copaiba

As the penultimate scent in Aesop's Othertopias collection, Gloam bridges the gap between dreams and reality. Pink pepper, cardamom, and saffron turn this earthy, floral scent into something headier. 

Key notes: lemon, saffron, violet, magnolia, bamboo, sandalwood, amber

This bright, citrus-leaning scent will transport you to a coastal house on a long weekend.