EDP
Women
Yves Saint Laurent
Gourmand
About Gourmand perfumes
Gourmand perfumes are built from notes that seem edible, such as vanilla, caramel, praline, coffee, honey and chocolate. They smell comforting and sweet, and they tend to get compliments quickly. Perfume World lists 6 fragrances in this collection. You will find notes, hands on longevity scores and retailer links on every perfume page.
The overall rating here sits at 7.9 out of 10 on average, based on hands on testing. Releases range from 2014 to 2021. The houses you will see most often are Genie, Zara and Lancôme. Expect to pay from $15 to $200, with the final price set by bottle size and the seller. The notes that come up most often are jasmine, saffron, vanilla and amber.
They shine on cold days, at night and on dates. When the weather is hot and humid, apply lightly and keep them for the evening. Look for a gourmand with a little woods, spice or fruit in the mix. That balance keeps the sweetness interesting for hours instead of sticky.
- Perfumes
- 6
- Average rating
- 7.9/10
- Price range
- From $15 to $200
- Average longevity
- 7.4/10
- Top house
- Genie
- Released
- 2014 to 2021
Top rated gourmand perfumes
- Zara Red Temptation Perfume 8.5/10
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium 8.3/10
- Lancôme La Nuit Trésor Eau de Parfum 8.2/10
- Zara Gardenia Eau de Parfum 7.5/10
- Genie Bakkarat Rouge 540 Extrait 7.5/10
How to choose gourmand perfumes
If you are unsure where to begin, Zara Red Temptation Perfume is the highest rated of our gourmand perfumes, which makes it a sensible first sample.
Pick two or three gourmand perfumes that sound right, then compare them side by side. The Compare tool lines up notes and scores so the differences are easy to see.
How gourmand perfumes perform
In our wear tests, gourmand perfumes score 7.4 out of 10 for longevity on average, which means solid staying power that comfortably covers a work day.
Sillage, the trail a perfume leaves behind you, averages 7.2 out of 10, which points to balanced projection that is noticeable but polite.
In hot and humid conditions, the same perfumes average 6.5 out of 10 for longevity. Heat speeds up evaporation, so expect scents to feel stronger at first and fade sooner than in cool, dry air.
If staying power is your priority, start with Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.2/10), Zara Red Temptation Perfume (8/10) and Genie Bakkarat Rouge 540 Extrait (8/10).
Our shortlist of gourmand perfumes
The newest release here is Zara Gardenia Eau de Parfum, from 2021. Zara Red Temptation Perfume has the best overall rating here at 8.5 out of 10, and it comes as EDP. For staying power, look at Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, which scores 8.2 out of 10 for longevity. On a tight budget, Zara Gardenia Eau de Parfum is the most affordable, starting around $15. Zara Gardenia Eau de Parfum is the one to try for value, with a value score of 8.5 out of 10.
Buying tips for gourmand perfumes
Change one thing at a time. If you are building a collection, add one new style at a time so you learn what you actually reach for.
Test before you commit. A perfume smells different on paper, on a friend and on your own skin, and it keeps changing for hours. Try a sample or a small bottle first, and wear it for a full day before you decide.
Think about your climate. Heat and humidity shorten how long most perfumes last, so check the hot and humid longevity score before you choose a bottle for daily wear.
Frequently asked questions
What do gourmand perfumes smell like?
Gourmand perfumes are built from notes that seem edible, such as vanilla, caramel, praline, coffee, honey and chocolate. They smell comforting and sweet, and they tend to get compliments quickly.
Which notes are common in gourmand perfumes?
The notes we see most in gourmand perfumes are jasmine, saffron, vanilla, amber and bitter almond. Open a perfume page for the full opening, heart and base.
When should I wear gourmand perfumes?
They shine on cold days, at night and on dates. When the weather is hot and humid, apply lightly and keep them for the evening.
Are gourmand perfumes a good choice for beginners?
Look for a gourmand with a little woods, spice or fruit in the mix. That balance keeps the sweetness interesting for hours instead of sticky.
Which gourmand perfumes have the best staying power?
Based on our longevity scores, the longest lasting are Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.2/10), Zara Red Temptation Perfume (8/10) and Genie Bakkarat Rouge 540 Extrait (8/10). Longevity also depends on skin type, weather and how you apply, so use these as a guide.
Are gourmand perfumes good for hot and humid weather?
It depends on the perfume, but on average gourmand perfumes score 6.5 out of 10 for longevity in hot and humid conditions. Check the hot and humid score on each page, and use a lighter hand with sweet or heavy styles.
Which brands make the best gourmand perfumes?
The houses with the most gourmand perfumes here are Genie, Zara, Lancôme and Yves Saint Laurent. Browse each one to compare styles and prices.
How much do gourmand perfumes cost?
Prices for gourmand perfumes on our list run from $15 to $200. The final price depends on bottle size, concentration and the retailer, so compare the sellers listed on each perfume page.
Which gourmand perfumes should I try first?
Going by our overall ratings, the top gourmand perfumes are Zara Red Temptation Perfume (8.5/10), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.3/10) and Lancôme La Nuit Trésor Eau de Parfum (8.2/10). Ratings come from hands on wear tests, so they reflect real performance and not just marketing.
Which gourmand perfumes get the most compliments?
Our compliments score points to Zara Red Temptation Perfume (9/10), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (8.5/10) and Zara Gardenia Eau de Parfum (8.5/10). Compliments depend on setting and company, but these are the ones people notice most often.
Not sure which one fits you? Answer a few questions and get matched, or browse our buying guides.