Pink pepper, or ‘pink peppercorn’ (baies roses in French), comes from the bright red berries of the Brazilian pepper tree and the Peruvian pepper tree. But despite the similarities in naming conventions, it shares little in common with black pepper – a culinary wonder spice that tingles the nose – or any other pepper for that matter. Instead, pink pepper is a much happier note, a bright rosy aroma with just the right amount of heat. The note may also come across as sharp, powdery, sweet, and fresh.
Known for its exotic and uplifting qualities, pink pepper is a very much welcome ingredient in modern perfumery, particularly among more ‘feminine’ florals or citrus scents. It adds a soft piquancy and familiar warmth which beautifully brings out the softer notes usually found in such blends. Of course, the fact that it’s a fiery little thing also helps give a kick to deeper scents like woods and incense (frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, and the like).