What Is Strawberry Pure?
Strawberry Pure is the trade name for ethyl 3-methyl-3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate, an ester first documented in perfumery circles around 1919. Although trace amounts occur naturally in ripe strawberries its commercial form is produced synthetically, allowing consistent quality and reliable supply.
The molecule is built through a straightforward sequence of classic organic reactions that combine a phenylacetic building block with an epoxide ring then finish with esterification. The route relies on standard solvents and avoids particularly complex steps, which helps keep production costs in the moderate to low range for an aroma chemical.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear viscous liquid that clings lightly to glass. It pours more slowly than water but is still easy to weigh and dilute. Most fragrance houses keep it on hand because it solves a variety of formulation challenges, so it is considered a workhorse rather than an exotic specialty.
What Does Strawberry Pure Smell Like?
Perfumers file Strawberry Pure in the fruity family. Off a blotter it opens with a vivid burst of freshly sliced strawberries, sweet yet slightly green around the edges, giving a realistic pulp impression rather than candy. Within seconds a subtle floral warmth peeks through, hinting at rose petal and jasmine leaf, while a faint creamy backdrop rounds the profile.
The note behaves as a classic top-to-heart bridge. It flashes brightly during the first few minutes, then settles into the upper heart where it supports floral and woody accords for several hours before fading. On its own the ingredient does not contribute much to the base but its lingering sweetness can be detected well into the dry-down when used at higher levels.
Projection is noticeably strong in the early stages, making it excellent for fragrances that need an immediate wow factor. Longevity is respectable; on a standard paper blotter a measurable scent remains for several days, though in a finished perfume the impact naturally tapers as heavier notes take over.
How & Where To Use Strawberry Pure
Strawberry Pure is a pretty friendly material to have on the blotter. It weighs out easily, dilutes without fuss and does not overpower the lab with fumes while you work.
Perfumers reach for it when they need an authentic strawberry flash that also knits smoothly into florals. On paper it is the star of a strawberry accord, yet it can just as easily play a supporting role in jasmine, rose or creamy lactonic themes. It shines alongside ionones for a violet-strawberry trick, hydroxycitronellal for dewy petals or light woods for a modern fruity-woody twist.
Typical usage sits anywhere from a trace to about 2 percent for subtle enhancement, up to the 5 percent ceiling when the brief demands a clear strawberry headline. At very low levels it reads as general red-fruit brightness. Raise the dosage and the note turns juicier, then increasingly candy-like once you push past 3 percent, so careful balancing is key if realism is the goal.
The material performs best in fine fragrance, body mist and shampoo bases where bloom matters. It keeps its sparkle through pH swings, though in high-alkaline bar soap or bleach it flattens quickly so another fruity top may be needed for lift. Cold process soap, on the other hand, rewards the ingredient with an excellent opening burst.
Prep work is minimal. A 10 percent ethanol or DPG dilution is standard for bench trials and makes blotter evaluation far easier than smelling neat. The viscosity is mild so no warming or pre-mixing tricks are required.
Safely Information
Working with Strawberry Pure is straightforward but a few precautions keep the studio safe.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 1-10 percent solution so you can judge the scent accurately without overwhelming your nose
- No direct bottle sniffing: first contact should be via a blotter or scent strip to avoid inhaling a concentrated slug of vapour
- Ventilation: conduct weigh-outs and mixing near a fan or fume hood to limit airborne buildup
- Personal protective gear: gloves prevent skin contact and safety glasses shield eyes from accidental splashes
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can irritate skin or trigger allergies, consult a doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that brief low-level exposure is generally safe while sustained high-level exposure can be harmful
For complete peace of mind consult the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your distributor and check it regularly for updates. Follow any current IFRA guidelines on maximum dosage to ensure your formula remains both creative and compliant.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under the right conditions Strawberry Pure stays in good shape for around two to three years before you will notice any drop in strength or freshness. That figure can stretch closer to four years if the bottle lives in the fridge, though a cool cupboard usually works well for most hobby and studio setups.
Choose a dark spot away from sunlight heaters and windowsills. Light and heat speed up oxidation which dulls the bright strawberry note and can create off odours. Keep caps screwed on tight each time you finish weighing to limit air exchange.
Polycone caps are the best choice for every dilution because they form a reliable seal that outperforms standard droppers. Avoid glass pipette tops altogether as their rubber bulbs let oxygen sneak in and invite spills. Try to decant working solutions into smaller bottles as you use them so headspace stays minimal.
Label every container clearly with the name Strawberry Pure batch date and any hazard icons or GHS phrases from your safety data sheet. A marker on masking tape is fine as long as it stays legible after a wipe with alcohol.
Disposal is simple but still needs care. The molecule is inherently biodegradable yet rated toxic to aquatic life so do not pour leftovers down the sink. Small amounts can be soaked into kitty litter or sand then bagged and placed with chemical household waste. Larger volumes should go through a licensed disposal service that handles solvent based materials.
Summary
Strawberry Pure is a synthetic ester that captures the juicy scent of fresh strawberries with a hint of floral warmth. It lifts top notes adds charm to jasmine and rose and even pairs nicely with woods or violet ionones. Because it is powerful at low doses and keeps blooming in soaps and shampoos it has earned a regular place on perfumers benches worldwide.
Costs sit in the moderate range thanks to a straightforward production route and the liquid format is easy to weigh dilute and store. Watch its stability in very alkaline products and remember that high use levels push the note toward candy territory.
Overall it is a fun versatile tool for fruity floral gourmand or modern woody accords and a reliable shortcut whenever a composition needs an instant splash of red fruit brightness.