Pale pink to white delicate blossoms; reconstructed accord is colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor Strength
Medium
Producing Countries
Asia, Europe
Pyramid
Heart
Delicate, tart-edged white-pink petals with a faint bitter-almond whisper. Sour cherry blossom smells like a Prunus cerasus orchard in spring -- lighter and sharper than sweet cherry blossom, with a green, astringent bite.
Light white-pink floral with a tart edge and a faint bitter-almond whisper. Sharper and less sweet than Japanese cherry blossom. The tartness provides an astringent bite; the benzaldehyde provides a kernel-like depth. Spring orchard in early morning -- cool, slightly tart, dewy.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Light white-pink floral, tart edge, bitter-almond
After a few hours
After a few hours
Soft floral warmth, green freshness
After a few days
After a few days
Near-transparent floral trace
The Full Story
Sour cherry blossom refers to the flowers of Prunus cerasus (Morello/sour cherry), which bloom slightly earlier than sweet cherry. The flowers carry a mild, white-floral scent with a faint benzaldehyde (bitter-almond) edge from the cyanogenic glycosides present throughout the Prunus genus.
In perfumery, the distinction from sweet cherry blossom (Prunus avium) or Japanese cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata) is the added tartness and green-astringent quality. The accord is lighter and sharper, with a more noticeable bitter-almond kernel character. Construction uses light white-floral materials, benzaldehyde (almond trace), green-leaf notes, and a tart-citric modifier.
Functionally, sour cherry blossom works as a tart-floral heart note. It provides a spring-orchard reference with a sharper edge than the sweeter cherry blossoms. Works in spring-themed, tart-floral, and European-orchard compositions.
This note in Première Peau. Nuit Elastique · Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.
Sour cherry trees (Prunus cerasus) are the result of a natural hybridisation between sweet cherry (P. avium) and ground cherry (P. fruticosa) that occurred thousands of years ago in the Caucasus region. The resulting hybrid is hardier than either parent and can survive in colder climates.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: No commercial extraction of Prunus cerasus blossoms exists. The note is reconstructed from light floral materials, benzaldehyde, and tart-green modifiers.
Molecular Formula
N/A - natural flower
CAS Number
N/A — no commercial essential oil from blossoms
Botanical Name
Prunus cerasus
IFRA Status
No known restrictions
Synonyms
Prunus cerasus flower, Cherry Blossom
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Appearance
Pale pink to white delicate blossoms; reconstructed accord is colorless to pale yellow liquid
In Perfumery
Sour cherry blossom is a tart-floral heart note: light white-floral, benzaldehyde (almond trace), green-leaf, and tart modifier. Sharper than sweet cherry blossom, less romantic than sakura. Spring-orchard reference. Works in tart-floral, spring-themed, and European-orchard compositions.