Galbanum oil

Say itGAL-buh-num oil

Intensely green, bitter bell pepper and pine; sharp, earthy, crushed-stem freshness.

What it is: Natural oil from steam-distilled gum resin of a giant fennel.
Where it comes from: Iran, Afghanistan
When you smell it: Top notes: the first minutes.
What perfumers do with it: The signature of 'green' perfumery; adds sharp natural greenness to chypres, florals and fresh accords.
Worth knowing: Its green smell comes not from its main molecule, pinene, but from traces of pyrazines and sulfur compounds.
Known in: Vent Vert (Balmain, 1947); No 19 (Chanel, 1970); Chamade (Guerlain, 1969)
Also called: Ferula gummosa (F. galbaniflua) gum-resin oil

Not on the label of any of the 232 perfumes read so far.

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