Quick answer: A tea perfume uses tea as a calm, slightly dry note that keeps a scent clean and polished. For black tea, choose Mykonos Inception (with citrus and cinnamon) or Mykonos Hawaiian Crush (with lychee and rose); for white tea, Mykonos Penthouse; for jasmine tea, Mykonos Satin Blanc; and for matcha, the gourmand Mykonos Matcha Latte.
Tea brings something few other notes can: quiet structure. Depending on the type it can be dark and slightly smoky, pale and airy, green or floral, but it always adds a dry, clean edge that keeps sweeter or brighter notes in check. That is why a tea perfume tends to feel polished rather than loud, and why tea suits the office so well. Five of our perfumes feature tea, and between them they cover black tea, white tea, jasmine tea and matcha.
What does a tea perfume smell like?
- Black tea is the darkest: slightly smoky and tannic, like a strong cup brewed a little too long. It adds depth to citrus and fruit.
- White tea is pale and airy. It pairs naturally with musks, soap accords and white flowers, and reads as very clean.
- Jasmine tea is green tea scented with jasmine blossoms: floral and fresh at the same time.
- Matcha is grassy, creamy and gently bitter. In perfume it usually meets milk, vanilla or chocolate, which makes it the gourmand end of tea.
In Inception, Penthouse and Satin Blanc the tea sits in the heart, so you notice it once the opening has settled rather than in the first spray. Hawaiian Crush has black tea in both the top and the heart, so it is there from the start. If the pyramid is new to you, see fragrance notes explained.
Black tea perfumes
Inception: black tea, cinnamon and citrus
Inception opens with bergamot, ginger, orange and lemon. Neroli, cinnamon, black tea and biga flower form the heart, and guaiac wood, musk, cedarwood and Lorenox™ make up a dry, woody base. The black tea is what separates it from a straightforward citrus: it gives the heart a warmer, more grown-up tone. The accord is citrus, aromatic and woody.
Inception is listed for men, rated moderate in intensity with strong sillage, moderate-to-strong projection and a rated longevity of 12+ hours. It is tagged for spring and summer, for daily wear, evenings and work, and comes in 50 ml and 100 ml. At the time of writing it had 60 customer reviews averaging 4.53 out of 5. Our Inception review covers it in depth.
Hawaiian Crush: black tea with lychee and rose
Hawaiian Crush uses black tea to balance fruit. Lychee, red fruits and black tea open it; rose, lily of the valley, lychee and black tea form the heart; and amber, patchouli, musk and incense make up the base. Here the tea keeps the lychee from turning sugary. The accord is fruity, floral and amber.
It is unisex, rated moderate in intensity with moderate-to-strong sillage, strong projection and a rated longevity of 10+ hours. It is tagged for spring, summer and autumn, for daily wear and evenings, and comes as a 50 ml extrait. Our guide to lychee perfumes looks at its fruity side.
White tea and jasmine tea perfumes
Penthouse: white tea and soap
Penthouse is the cleanest tea perfume we carry. Sparkling blackcurrant, aldehydes, mandarin zest and rose mist open it; velvety white florals, white tea vapour, a white soap accord, cashmere wood and cedarwood form the heart; and tonka bean, Iso E Super, amber, clean musks and cashmeran make up the base. The brand describes it as a luxurious bath.
It is unisex, rated strong in intensity with moderate-to-strong sillage, strong projection and a rated longevity of 12+ hours. It is the only one of our tea perfumes tagged for all four seasons, and it is listed for daily wear, evenings and special occasions. It comes in 50 ml and 100 ml. Read our Penthouse guide for more, or our guide to perfumes that smell clean.
Satin Blanc: jasmine tea and green apple
Satin Blanc opens with bergamot, black pepper and green apple. The heart is cedarwood, jasmine tea, a floral bouquet and an aquatic note, and the base is white amber, tonka bean and vanilla. The accord is floral, woody and softly spicy: crisp at the start, then clean and gently sweet as the tea and white amber come through.
It is unisex, rated strong in intensity, sillage and projection, with a rated longevity of 12+ hours. Unusually, it is tagged for both summer and winter, and it is listed for daily wear, evenings and work. It comes as a 100 ml extrait.
Matcha: the gourmand tea
Matcha Latte: matcha, white chocolate and mint
Matcha Latte is tea as a treat. It is described as a blend of matcha and white chocolate with a twist of florals and a hint of mint, and its accord is listed as vanilla, floral and lactonic. The green matcha and the mint give contrast to the creamy sweetness, and the brand pictures a lazy Sunday at home.
It is unisex, rated strong in intensity with moderate sillage, moderate-to-strong projection and a rated longevity of 9+ hours. It is tagged for autumn and winter, for daily wear and evenings, and comes as a 50 ml extrait. If the creamy side appeals, our guide to milk perfumes has more in that style.
Tea perfume at a glance
| Perfume | Tea | Paired with | Season | Rated longevity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inception | Black tea | Citrus, cinnamon, neroli, woods | Spring, summer | 12+ hours |
| Hawaiian Crush | Black tea | Lychee, rose, incense | Spring, summer, autumn | 10+ hours |
| Penthouse | White tea | Aldehydes, soap accord, clean musks | All year | 12+ hours |
| Satin Blanc | Jasmine tea | Green apple, black pepper, white amber | Summer, winter | 12+ hours |
| Matcha Latte | Matcha | White chocolate, florals, mint | Autumn, winter | 9+ hours |
Where a tea perfume works best
At work. Tea's dry, clean character makes it one of the safest notes for an office. Inception and Satin Blanc are both listed for work; apply one or two sprays. Our guide to the best perfumes for the office has more options.
When you want to smell freshly showered. Penthouse, with its white tea and soap accord, is the one to choose. Browse the Musky collection for more soft, clean scents.
On a slow weekend. Matcha Latte suits cosy autumn and winter days. If you like that mood, our guide to coffee perfumes covers the neighbouring latte and mocha scents.
For a fresh summer signature. Inception or Hawaiian Crush, or browse the Citrus collection for more bright scents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tea perfume for everyday wear?
Penthouse is tagged for all four seasons and listed for daily wear, and Inception is listed for daily wear and work in spring and summer. Both are rated 12+ hours.
What is the difference between black tea and white tea in perfume?
Black tea is darker and slightly smoky, and it adds warmth to citrus and fruit, as in Inception and Hawaiian Crush. White tea is paler and cleaner, and it suits musks and soap accords, as in Penthouse.
Is a matcha perfume sweet?
Matcha Latte is a gourmand, so yes, with white chocolate and a vanilla, floral and lactonic accord. The matcha and a hint of mint give it a greener edge than most sweet scents.
Do tea perfumes last long?
Three of our five, Inception, Penthouse and Satin Blanc, are rated 12+ hours. Hawaiian Crush is rated 10+ hours and Matcha Latte 9+ hours.