Litsea cubeba oil

Say itLIT-see-uh kyoo-BEE-buh oil

Sharp, sweet lemon-sherbet citral with a fruity, slightly soapy edge.

What it is: Natural oil from steam-distilled small peppery fruits.
Where it comes from: China (main producer)
When you smell it: Top notes: the first minutes.
What perfumers do with it: Cheap, powerful lemon lift; boosts citrus and verbena accords and serves as a natural citral source.
Worth knowing: The dried fruits look like peppercorns, and China's crop is a major source of natural citral for flavors.
Rules: Limited. Mostly citral; IFRA citral limits cap its dose
Also called: May Chang; Litsea citrata fruit oil

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

Sources