FRAGONARD
JASMIN PERLE DE THE

2013

Lemon
Bergamot

Green Tea
Jasmine
Honeysuckle

Thuja
Amber
Guaiac Wood

‘Jasmin – Perle de Thé (Jasmine – Pearl tea). Green tea, even if it is scalding, is thirst-quenching. We seek refuge in the intimacy of an Andalusian garden to savour a green tea, even if it is scalding, that is thirst-quenchin and enjoy the benefits of the blooming jasmine. Beauty and femininity typify this heady, sense-filling combination of fragrances.’- Fragonard

I came across this affordable EDP line from Fragonard (€40/50ml) and was pleasantly surprised.

The opening from Jasmin Perle De Thé really spoke to me. Often with (jasmine) tea scents, it lacks the life-like, bitter facets, but not here; at least in the first hour. There’s a natural smelling, fresh, but bitter tea. The lemon and bergamot are subtle, so it doesn’t become a straight-up citrussy scent.

The jasmine is rather simple and mass-appealing; it’s slightly green, but very safe, without any indolic nature. The scent is fresh, but warms up slightly, without being sweet.

As it dries it becomes a cozy, albeit not overly eccentric tea scent; it made me think of Dior Thé Cachemire a bit and or even the aromatic side of Bon Parfumeru 701.

For me, the opening is stunning and especially at this price point. It wouldn’t feel out of place next to One Day Jasmine Tea (One Day has my favorite tea collection). It would be even better if it kept the bitter tinge a while longer or if it had a stronger jasmine note, but overall, this is a beautiful fragrance that lives up to its name. Performance is average (I think Ambre Rose impressed me more on that front), but that’s not unexpected for this scent-profile.