Types of peppers in perfumery

From the Piper nigrum plant, white, green, and black peppers can be obtained. Interestingly, black pepper is made from the least ripe fruits, which are simply sun-dried for a long time. Green pepper is even less ripe but dried quickly. White pepper comes from fully ripe fruits, from which the skin is removed by soaking.

In perfumes, essential oil and absolute of black pepper are used. They give the fragrance a fiery, pungent, and warm quality.

Pink pepper (or Peruvian/Brazilian pepper) has a floral-spicy scent with a slight hint of pine. It grows on the Schinus tree and is botanically distinct from other peppers. Therefore, it imparts more of a floral-spicy note to fragrances.

Sichuan pepper is also derived from a different plant and has a more lemony and citrusy aroma.