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Cassis

Currant leaf and bud — particularly the blackcurrant bud absolute derived from Ribes nigrum — is one of perfumery's most striking and polarising green materials. Harvested in the early spring before the buds open, the raw absolute of blackcurrant bud has been prized since the mid-20th century for its fierce, catty, almost animalic sharpness, which in skilled hands transforms into one of the most vibrant and distinctive natural notes in a perfumer's palette. The scent of currant leaf and bud is intensely sharp and green, with a provocative catty edge that comes from the sulphurous compounds present in the raw material. This challenging quality is precisely what makes it so compelling in composition — it brings electricity and raw life force to a fragrance, cutting through sweetness and softness with unmistakable character. When used with restraint, the note reads as intensely fresh, green, and invigorating, evoking the sharp bite of a torn leaf in a spring garden. Currant bud is a cornerstone ingredient in some of the world's most iconic chypres and floral fragrances, where it adds lift and sharpness to rose, iris, and oakmoss compositions. It also works beautifully in contemporary fresh blends. At Fragrenza, our currant leaf and bud collection celebrates this electrifying green note in expertly balanced dupes of celebrated fragrances at prices that make true quality accessible.