Tea Perfumes Are Officially Fall’s Coziest Fragrance Trend

Whether you prefer it strong and black, sweetened with honey, or whisked into a frothy latte, few things soothe the senses quite like a steaming cup of tea. It’s no surprise, then, that brew-inspired perfumes are having a moment this season.

“Tea is a note that brings comfort with sophistication, and I believe that’s precisely what people are seeking right now,” explains IFF perfumer Caroline Dumur. “The world has become louder, faster; tea offers a moment of quiet elegance, something contemplative and grounding.”

Like the beverage itself, tea perfumes come in near-endless varieties. “They can be crisp and fresh, floral, smokey, warm, milky, and woody,” adds DSM-Firmenich Fragrance Development Director Caroline Ornst. “They also align with the sophisticated gourmand movement while appealing to the growing preference for genderless fragrances.”

Ahead, I tapped Dumur and Ornst, as well as Liis Fragrances founders Leslie Hendin and Alissa Sullivan, to break down the olfactory families behind fall’s most serene fragrance trend. I also personally tested dozens of scents to highlight the best tea-inspired perfumes worth adding to your collection.

“Green tea notes in perfumery are typically airy, fresh and often evoke dewy leaves or steeped infusions,” says Dumur. “They’re brisk, transparent, and aromatic.” Few fragrances embody this better than Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea, which has stood the test of time since its launch in 1999. Pairing notes of green tea, jasmine, bergamot, and lemon, it has a cheerful scent profile that can win over even the biggest fragrance snobs.

For a more elevated take on green tea, Armani’s Thé Yulong is the perfume equivalent of “quiet luxury.” Subtle yet sophisticated, its orange blossom and iris accords have what my fellow editors describe as “wealthy mom energy.”

On the moodier end of the spectrum, Nest’s Indigo Eau de Parfum blends Moroccan tea with cardamom and fig for what I consider the platonic ideal of a rainy-day fragrance. And if you want to lean into green tea’s calming properties, Snif’s Golden Ticket layers sage, incense, and amber for a spa-like vibe.

Though often conflated with green tea, matcha has its own distinct scent profile. “While green tea smells like the steam from your teacup, matcha smells like the ground leaves themselves: rich, grounded, and textural,” explains Dumur. “In fragrance, matcha allows for a rounder, almost velvety experience that adds body and contrast, particularly when paired with gourmand or leathery notes.”

Her latest creation with Penhaligon’s, Fortuitous Finley, uses matcha to add depth and texture. “The matcha facet flows alongside salted pistachio and suede-like violet, creating a sensation that’s both indulgent and quietly invigorating,” she says. While Fortuitous Finley explores savory gourmands, d’Annam’s Matcha Soft Serve is a hyperrealistic olfactory take on the frozen dessert—complete with a vanilla dry-down reminiscent of a waffle cone.

Meanwhile, matcha plays more of a supporting role in Nette’s Thé Vanille and Le Monde Gourmand’s Thé Matcha. The former is a refined, aquatic vanilla, while the latter feels more youthful with freesia at the forefront.

Rich, intense, and slightly bitter, black tea is often brightened with Italian bergamot—a classic pairing in Earl Grey blends. “[Citrus notes] enhance the clean, fresh, and calming qualities of the tea notes,” says Ornst.

LBTY’s Liberty Maze smells like iced tea sipped in a lush garden, combining an Earl Grey accord with neroli, jasmine, and honeysuckle. Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Dear Polly is a stronger, sultrier option, with a woody base that gives it impressive longevity.

Black tea also pairs beautifully with smokey notes. “They highlight the darker, more mysterious facets, adding depth and intrigue,” Ornst explains. A shining example is Le Labo’s Thé Noir, a cult favorite that marries heady tobacco and cedar with jammy fig. Or, if you’re curious about solid perfume, Longtake’s Black Tea and Fig features a gel-like formula that’s ideal for layering.

As the least processed variety, white tea stands out for its delicate aroma, says Ornst. This makes it a natural complement to citrus, floral, and musk accords.

Korres’ White Tea marries all three scent profiles, layering mandarin, peony, and white tea atop a musky base. Moodeaux’s Worthy is powdery and almost skin-like, blending white tea with amber and vanilla for a scent that envelopes like a warm hug. For a fresher blend, Bvlgari’s Eau Parfumée Thé Blanc is as crisp as five-star hotel sheets.

For the best of both worlds, Liis’ Ethereal Wave combines white and black tea with bergamot, cardamom, and blonde woods. “The name is inspired by the music genre Ethereal Wave, pioneered by the Cocteau Twins,” say Hendin and Sullivan. “Their music resonates with us, it feels emotional and meaningful, yet light. We wanted to translate that feeling into fragrance.”

• Caroline Dumur is a perfumer at the IFF and has created perfumes for brands like Penhaligon’s, Chloé, and Givenchy
• Caroline Ornst is the fragrance development director for DSM-Firmenich
• Leslie Hendin and Alissa Sullivan are the founders of Liis Fragrances

Lauren Gruber is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over four years of experience covering lifestyle topics, specializing in beauty and fragrance. For this story, she consulted scent experts about the buzzy tea fragrance trend. After conducting extensive research on the topic, she personally wear-tested every scent on this list to round up the 16 best tea perfumes.