Coconut

lat. Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae)

Group: Fruits and Vegetables

Odor profile: intensely tropical note, lush, sweet, milky, vanillic, with a suntan lotion association due to the inclusion of coconut scent in Coppertone sun oil.

When we mention coconut, the first association is taking us to exotic and tropic peaches with white sand and palms leaning above and reflecting in turquoise water where this magnificent fruit grows. I break exotic suddenly with a fact that smaller fruit similar to coconut were found as fossil remaining 15 million years ago in New Zealand. An interesting fact about this unusual fruit with hard bard is that its home country is South Africa, delta of the Ganges River and South America.

Coconut palm trees need particular conditions for growing – warm climate, high temperatures, occasional rain and high humidity (up to 80%) for their better development.

Coconut fruit does not belong among family of nuts, but to the family Arecaceae (palm family with juicy, simple, closed fruit). It contains three layers: exocarp, mezocarp and endocarp. The hardest 'shell' of fruit, mezocarp, contains fibers used for traditional and commercial purposes.

When I think of coconut scent, I always remember its milky white interior with coconut water. The younger the fruit is, its 'pulp' is thinner and more like gel. The older the fruit gets, its interior becomes firmer and thicker. Coconut water is a popular drink in tropical areas – Southeastern Asian and Pacific islands as Hawaii and Caribbean, where it can be found fresh, in flacons or cans. Agua de Coco is the second most popular drink in Brazil (after orange juice).

Taste of coconut water depends on location where coconut palms grow. Coconut water is somewhat sweeter than Brazilian.

Coconut water incorporates sugar, fibers, proteins, antioxidance, minerals and vitamins. Coconut milk is not the same as coconut water which fill interior of the fruit. Coconut milk is obtained from ripe coconut pulp in two ways (by wringing or cooking coconut interior). Its milky colour depends on percentage of oil and sugar.

White coconut pulp and its water look and smell exotic, sweet, fresh, cold, soft and creamy. Among other associations are sun cream and other great body creams which smell perfectly in summer reminding me of exotic origin of the fruit. As for the scent, I remembered several perfumes with accentuated and well combined aromas of coconut, which in winter snowy days takes us into summer daydreaming, while in summer they attract attention and enhance seductive tasty tact.

One of the most perfect fragrances with coconut aromas that I have and enjoy are Versace Crystal Noir where coconut is skillfully balanced with creamy gardenia and fresh sour citrusy layer and refreshing cherries; and magic Dior Hypnotic Poison which combines cold and hot notes and creates a gourmand composition which warms with soft vanilla, cools with anise and jasmine, and gives extreme exotic coconut note to its carrier and surroundings.

New Zen Eau de Perfume 2010 greeted me instantly with aromas of coconut surrounded with floral sweet based on musk and wood. Even though coconut is not listed in ingredients, my skin can clearly recognize it and single out.

As for more intense coconut compositions, I would like to point out CSP Coco Extreme – coconut combined with vanilla and almonds, Coco Figue – coconut, vanilla, milk, tonka, almonds and fig, and Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Coco – gourmand union of vanilla-like aromas of heliotrope, soft vanilla, coconut and tart banana cream.

Another very interesting perfume I tried in rainy autumn (instead in summer) is Profumi del Forte Vittoria Apuana which also offers unusual union of banana and coconut. Its more exotic version is refreshed with sweet orange and grapefruit skin, sophisticated like a summer cocktail. As soon as you think this is another exotic fragrance, tiare flowers make an elegant twist and add femininity.

Coconut can be found in fragrances: Avon Tahitian Holiday the title of which suggests where this scent will take you, Yves Rocher Coconut, Bath and Body Works Exotic Coconut with tropic fruit and red berries, coconut, tonka, musk and vanilla – which is both tasty and fragrant, just like Coconut Lime Verbena, a fresh composition which lines juicy fruity zests combined with fine exotic of coconut and vanilla wrapped with citruses and fresh fruit.

Why do we choose coconut in fragrances?

Wish for refreshment in hot summer months can be pleased with water and fruit juice, so aromas of coconut fit into refreshment, but in completely different way.

My view of coconut in fragrances comes down to attracting attention, fragrant fantasies and olfactive journeys with soft sexy tension, while true refreshment is in second plan.

Exotic is finally in a palm, within arm's reach, attractive and mesmerizing.

I found balance of idyllic tropic beach and coconut flirtations in several fragrances – discreet Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder, a sweet blend of juicy floral notes of tiare, ylang-ylang, jasmine, coconut and vanilla in Montale Intense Tiare, as well as in rich and opulent Lucy B Tiare Coconut which intoxicates with creamy nuances of champaca flowers, along with magnolia, jasmine and soft vanilla. Coconut appears in seductive dance throughout the whole composition.

Some other editions with coconut:

Memoire Liquide Vacances Liquide (coconut, vanilla, tiare, sea water)
Laura Mercier Eau Gourmande Almond Coconut (rosemary, tonka, almond, coconut, musk, vanilla, jasmine, heliotrope, ylang yang)
Victorias Secret Coconut Passion (coconut, lily of the valley, vanilla)
Comme des Garcons Spicy Cocoa (citruses, chocolate, coconut, cardamom, coriander, pepper)
E.Coudray Vanille et Coco (vanilla, coconut, anise, lavender, jasmine, iris, ylang ylang, tonka, sandalwood)

If you are looking for more intense coconut to linger on your skin all day and if in its cooling, tropic embrace you aren't looking for warmth, but for vigor, I will recommend something completely different – coconut and guava body cream Freeman Coconut & Guava which I adore!

Photos: Coconut Tree by Swami Stream (araswami); Coconut at Bohol Beach Club by George Parrilla. Source: Wikipedia/Coconut