Black Currant Leaf

NaturalGREENS, HERBS & FOUGERESgreen · fresh · fruity

HeartPyramid

5/5Strength

—Tenacity

2Origins

Specimen

Black Currant Leaf perfume ingredient — Heart

Ribes nigrum

Definition

Sharp, catty, unmistakably 'blackcurrant.' The crushed leaf is all green-sulfurous intensity — more vivid than the fruit, with a raw, vegetal bite.

GREEN CATTY SULFUROUS FRUITY HERBAL FRESH

Blackcurrant Leaf, Cassis Leaf

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Green
Subfamily: Herbal aromatics
Cluster: Green-herbal notes
Source: leaves and buds
Chemical class: Complex natural (absolute)

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

5/5Strength

Very high

odour strength

Producing countries

France United Kingdom

Scent

Intensely green with a sulfurous, catty edge that defines the material. Raw, vegetal, almost aggressive at full strength. Diluted, it becomes bright and fruity-green — the 'blackcurrant' character that everyone recognizes. Sharper than galbanum, fruitier than violet leaf, more complex than either.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

Terroir & Transformation

The Full Story

Blackcurrant leaf (Ribes nigrum) absolute is a commercially available perfumery material obtained by solvent extraction of the leaves. The scent is intense, green, and distinctively 'catty' — driven by sulfur-containing thiols, particularly 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol.

The absolute is deep green, viscous, and potent. A tiny amount transforms a composition — providing the instantly recognizable blackcurrant character: green, fruity, slightly sulfurous, with a raw vegetal bite. The effect is simultaneously fresh and animalic, natural and slightly disturbing.

In perfumery, blackcurrant leaf is a heart note used in chypre, fruity-floral, and modern green compositions. It provides lift and vibrancy — a sharp green that cuts through sweetness and adds natural dynamism. The catty-sulfurous quality, at low doses, reads as lively rather than offensive.

Major production of the absolute centers in Burgundy, France, where Ribes nigrum is widely cultivated. The leaves are harvested in summer when thiol concentration peaks. Yield is low — approximately 0.1-0.2% from fresh leaves.

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Related: Alpha Pinene · Angelica · Angelica Root · Angelica Root Oil · Artemisia · Barrenwort · Beachheather · Behini Tree

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

Solvent extraction (hexane) of fresh or dried Ribes nigrum leaves. Yield approximately 0.1-0.2% from fresh leaves. Production centered in Burgundy, France. The absolute is deep green, viscous, extremely potent.

Formula: Complex natural mixture (key compound: 4-methoxy-2-methyl-2-butanethiol, C₆H₁₄OS)
CAS: 68606-81-5
Botanical: Ribes nigrum
Appearance: Dark green to olive green viscous liquid
Odour strength: Very Strong
Synonyms: Blackcurrant Leaf, Cassis Leaf

IFRA status

See note

No IFRA Standard for the material itself (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Flash point: > 200.00 °F. TCC ( > 93.33 °C. )
Specific gravity: 0.92000 to 0.97000 @ 25.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Heart note of considerable impact. Functions as a green-fruity modifier in chypre, fruity-floral, and green compositions. The thiol content provides lifting power and vibrancy. Used at very low doses — 0.1-0.5% in a composition. Works with rose, peach, bergamot, and mossy bases. The catty note adds modern dynamism to classical chypre structures.

Role in the formula

01modifier

02signature note

03lifting agent

04blender

05volume builder

06freshness

Available as

bud absolute essential oil CO2 extract