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Grapefruit Leaf

CITRUS SMELLS  /  citrus · fruity · fresh
Grapefruit Leaf
Grapefruit Leaf perfume ingredient
CategoryCITRUS SMELLS
Subcategorycitrus · fruity · fresh
Origin
VolatilityTop Note
BotanicalCitrus × paradisi
AppearancePale yellow to greenish mobile liquid
Odor StrengthMedium
Producing CountriesIsrael, United States
PyramidTop

Grapefruit leaf has a fresh, green citrus aroma that is uplifting and bracing.

  1. Scent
  2. Terroir & Origins
  3. The Full Story
  4. Fun Fact
  5. Extraction & Chemistry
  6. In Perfumery

Scent

Grapefruit leaf has a crisp, green notes, like freshly cut foliage. The opening is bright and tangy, with a citrus quality, followed by a soft, herbal undertone.

Scent Evolution

As it develops, grapefruit leaf shows a rounder profile, its zesty character softened by a subtle warmth, with green notes balanced by floral or fruity elements.

Signature Accords

After a day on a blotter, grapefruit leaf keeps its brightness while gaining a gentle woodiness. The lasting impression is fresh, with a deeper, earthier quality.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Immediately

Bright, green, and zesty with a fresh citrus quality.
After a few hours

After a few hours

Soft herbal undertones emerge, balancing the initial brightness.
After a few days

After a few days

Retains brightness with deeper woodiness, evoking a citrus grove.

Terroir & Expressions

Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.

The Full Story

Grapefruit leaf is an aromatic material from the foliage of the grapefruit tree, Citrus paradisi. Less used than the fruit, it adds a rounded green facet to compositions.

Origin and Production

Historically, grapefruit leaves have been used in traditional medicine and cooking, particularly in Southeast Asia. In perfumery they provide a citrus, zesty character, extracted by steam distillation, which preserves the scent profile.

Chemistry and Scent Profile

Grapefruit leaf is a fresh note used in both men's and women's fragrances. Its bright green nuances blend with floral, herbal, citrus, woody, or spicy materials.

Did You Know?

Grapefruit leaves have a pleasant scent and contain compounds reported to have antioxidant properties.

This note in Première Peau. Gravitas Capitale · Nuit Elastique · Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Related notes: Bergamot · Bigarade · Bitter Orange · Blood Orange · Buddhas Hand · Calamansi · Candied Lemon · Chen Pi

Did You Know?

Did you know?
Grapefruit leaves smell pleasant, and they also contain compounds that are believed to have health benefits, including antioxidant properties.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Steam distillation

↑ See Terroir & Origins for origin-specific methods.

Molecular FormulaComplex mixture; key compounds: sabinene (C₁₀H₁₆), citronellal (C₁₀H₁₈O)
CAS Number90045-43-5 (grapefruit leaf oil)
Botanical NameCitrus × paradisi
IFRA StatusNo known restrictions
SynonymsCITRUS LEAF · GRAPEFRUIT FOLIAGE
Physical Properties
Odor StrengthMedium
AppearancePale yellow to greenish mobile liquid
Flash Point120.00 °F. TCC ( 48.89 °C. ) (est)
Specific Gravity0.845 to 0.870 @ 25.00 °C.

In Perfumery

In perfumery, grapefruit leaf is primarily used as a heart note, though its bright and uplifting qualities can also lend themselves to top note applications. It is contributing ability to add a refreshing aspect to compositions, making it especially popular in citrus-focused fragrances. Its profile allows it to complement a range of ingredients, including floral, fruity, and even spicy notes, improving their vibrancy and creating a more balanced olfactory experience. Grapefruit leaf can help bridge the gap between citrus and other elements, such as woods or resins, giving a smooth transition that enriches the overall narrative of a fragrance.

From the raw to the worn

This is what it becomes.