The drawing: litsea, fruiting sprigThe drawing: litsea, fruit bunch
Litsea

Ingredients · Citrus · top note

Litsea cubeba oil

Say itLIT-see-uh kyoo-BEE-buh oil

Sharp, sweet lemon-sherbet citral with a fruity, slightly soapy edge.

What it is
Natural oil from steam-distilled small peppery fruits.
Where it comes from
China (main producer)
When you smell it
Top notes: when you spray it.
What perfumers do with it
Cheap, powerful lemon lift; boosts citrus and verbena accords and serves as a natural citral source.
Worth knowing
The dried fruits look like peppercorns, and China's crop is a major source of natural citral for flavors.
Rules
Limited. Mostly citral; IFRA citral limits cap its dose
Also called
May Chang; Litsea citrata fruit oil