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Wasabi

Q: Is Wasabi natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Not a naturally extracted material. The note is a perfumery reconstruction or concept accord..

SPICES / fresh · green · spicy

Wasabi

Category	SPICES
Subcategory	fresh · green · spicy
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Eutrema japonicum (syn. Wasabia japonica)
Appearance	Green paste (from rhizome); essential oil is colorless to pale yellow
Odor Strength	High
Producing Countries	Japan
Pyramid	Heart

Horseradish's Japanese cousin. Sharp, nasal-clearing, and hot -- but the heat evaporates as fast as it arrives.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Horseradish's Japanese cousin.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Horseradish's Japanese cousin

After a few hours

Developing character and warmth

After a few days

Subtle residual trace

The Full Story

Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum, formerly Wasabia japonica, Brassicaceae) is the Japanese rhizomatous brassica whose freshly grated paste is the green-hot condiment of nigiri and sashimi. Its heat comes not from capsaicin (no relationship to chilli) but from allyl isothiocyanate (CAS 57-06-7, C₄H₅NS) [A] and a small family of related isothiocyanates released when the cells are crushed. The compound is volatile and the heat is therefore nasal rather than tongue-burning, and it fades within minutes — the experience that Pierre describes as 'sharp, nasal-clearing, and hot — but the heat evaporates as fast as it arrives.'

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In perfumery

Wasabi has no commercial perfumery extract. Allyl isothiocyanate at perfumery concentrations would be a powerful irritant; the molecule is technically a riot-control agent at higher exposure. The 'wasabi' note in fragrance is therefore a reference accord built from trace pyridine derivatives, isothiocyanate-evoking sulphur-containing molecules, and a green-leaf top from cis-3-hexenol. The accord is rare in fine fragrance — more common in fashion-house novelty compositions than in serious perfumery.

Sources & Notes

[A] PubChem CID 5971 — allyl isothiocyanate (the wasabi/mustard/horseradish 'heat' compound), CAS 57-06-7, C₄H₅NS. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5971.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Used at trace levels in avant-garde and conceptual compositions.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Not a naturally extracted material. The note is a perfumery reconstruction or concept accord.

Molecular Formula	Complex mixture (no single formula)
CAS Number	N/A - natural plant
Botanical Name	Eutrema japonicum (syn. Wasabia japonica)
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	JAPANESE HORSERADISH · WASABI ROOT
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	High
Appearance	Green paste (from rhizome); essential oil is colorless to pale yellow

In Perfumery

Wasabi functions as a concept or fantasy note in modern fragrance compositions. Not derived from a single natural extraction; the impression is built from multiple materials.