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Longan Berries

Q: Is Longan Berries natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: The aromatic material is obtained through enfleurage or distillation of the fruit..

FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS / fruity · sweet · floral

Longan Berries

Category	FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS
Subcategory	fruity · sweet · floral
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Dimocarpus longan
Appearance	Pale to light amber liquid
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	China, Thailand, Vietnam
Pyramid	Heart

Longan berries are sweet, aromatic fruits known for their floral fragrance and juicy texture.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Longan berries possess a sweet, floral aroma similar to of lychee, yet with a more subtle and layered character. The scent smells honeyed, with hints of tropical fruits and a delicate freshness that lingers in the air. When inhaled, one might detect a soft, warm sweetness coupled with an almost ethereal quality.

Scent Evolution

The initial impressi on of longan is fruity and sweet, quickly enveloping the senses in its character. As it evolves, the floral undertones become more apparent. This diverse fragrance can carries memories of sun-drenched orchards and balmy evenings.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Sweet and fruity, reminiscent of lychee

After a few hours

Florescent and warm, with subtle floral notes

After a few days

Soft sweetness with lingering floral undertones

The Full Story

Longan (Dimocarpus longan, Sapindaceae) is a tropical fruit native to southern China and Southeast Asia, closely related to lychee and rambutan — all three are Sapindaceae with the same translucent-juicy-flesh-around-a-single-seed structure. Longan is smaller, sweeter, less floral than lychee; the brown-yellow skin is brittle, the flesh pale, the seed nearly black.

In perfumery

Longan has no commercial fragrance extract. Its volatile profile shares some compounds with lychee — β-damascenone, linalool, methyl 2-methylbutyrate — but lacks the dominant cis-rose oxide that defines lychee. The 'longan' note in fragrance is therefore a softer, less rose-fruity cousin of the lychee reconstruction: more transparent, less floral, with a honey-tropical undertone. It is rare in fine fragrance; when used, it pairs naturally with lychee, peach and white florals.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Longan berries are often used in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to boost energy and improve sleep quality.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: The aromatic material is obtained through enfleurage or distillation of the fruit.

Molecular Formula	Complex mixture (no single formula)
CAS Number	90063-78-8 (Dimocarpus longan extract)
Botanical Name	Dimocarpus longan
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	DRAGON EYE · LONGAN FRUIT
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Pale to light amber liquid

In Perfumery

Longan berries are typically used as a heart note in perfumery, providing a sweet and floral backdrop to more strong ingredients. They works with other fruits like lychee and pear, as well as floral notes such as jasmine and rose. Their profile can also complement warm base notes like amber and sandalwood that draws attention the senses.