What Is Cassis Base?
Cassis Base is a ready-made fragrance accord created by DSM-Firmenich that captures the vivid character of blackcurrant. It is not a single molecule but a liquid blend of several aroma chemicals, some of which are proprietary “captive” materials available only from the original producer. Other aroma houses sometimes offer their own interpretations under different trade names, yet the DSM-Firmenich version remains the benchmark.
The base is produced in modern compounding facilities where individual aroma molecules are weighed, mixed and quality-checked in controlled conditions. Perfumers designed the formula in collaboration with the company’s Natural Ingredients Center of Expertise to mimic the olfactive profile of fresh cassis while avoiding the instability often found in natural blackcurrant extracts.
At room temperature the material is a free-flowing liquid that ranges from clear to pale yellow. It pours easily and blends smoothly with most fragrance solvents and oils, making it user-friendly for both industrial and artisanal compounding.
Cassis Base is widely used in fine fragrance and consumer products because it delivers an authentic berry-green lift without the cost or regulatory hurdles of natural absolutes. Supply chains for the base are reliable and large-volume production keeps pricing in the midrange for specialty ingredients. When stored correctly it retains quality for roughly two to three years before noticeable oxidation sets in.
Cassis Base’s Scent Description
Perfumers place Cassis Base firmly in the fruity family, though it also carries green and floral nuances that broaden its appeal. Off a blotter the first impression is a burst of juicy blackcurrant reminiscent of biting into fresh berries complete with their tangy skin. Almost immediately a leafy greenness rises, suggesting crushed currant leaves and vineyard foliage. There is a faint sulfuric spark often described as “catty” yet here it is polished and lifts the fruit rather than overpowering it. As the scent settles a soft violet-like floral facet appears, adding smoothness and depth.
In the traditional top-middle-base framework Cassis Base operates mainly as a top and early heart note. It delivers an attention-grabbing opening that lasts longer than most citrus materials then transitions into the mid stage where it supports florals, woods or musks. On a blotter its vivid fruitiness projects well for the first hour, gradually mellowing over three to four hours before fading to a gentle green whisper.
Projection is moderate to strong in the opening making it ideal for giving lift to heavier compositions. Longevity is solid for a fruity note yet it will not persist into the deep drydown on its own so perfumers often anchor it with woods, musks or amber materials for extended wear.
How & Where To Use Cassis Base
Perfumers reach for Cassis Base whenever they want a fast, consistent blackcurrant impression. It shines in fruity-floral compositions, green chypres and modern gourmand blends where a tart berry spark is needed. Because the material already contains its own balance of juicy, leafy and sulphuric facets, it can replace several single molecules, saving time and space on the bench.
Typical inclusion levels sit between trace amounts and 5 percent of the concentrate. At 0.1 percent you will only sense a subtle green lift. Around 1 percent the berry note becomes obvious and pairs well with rose, jasmine or pear. Pushing past 3 percent brings out the sulphur nuance that makes blackcurrant so realistic, but above 5 percent it can start to smell catty and overpower lighter flowers. Overuse also risks muddying the heart of the perfume and shortening the life of delicate top notes.
Cassis Base excels in alcohol-based fine fragrance because its facets unfold in a clear, familiar way on skin. It also holds up in shower gels, shampoos and liquid soaps thanks to good stability in mild surfactant systems. In cold-process bar soap the scent survives cure time, though the green edge may fade. Candles and reed diffusers benefit from its strong throw, yet its flashpoint of 58 °C means you should blend it into wax at a lower pour temperature to avoid loss of the top notes.
Less suitable settings include very alkaline cleaners where fruity notes can distort, and high dosage air freshener sprays that may push the sulphur aspect too far. When in doubt start low, smell in the finished base and adjust upward only if the accord still feels thin.
No special activation is required before use, but most perfumers prepare a 10 percent dilution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This makes fine weighing easier and lets you audition the material on a blotter without risk of nose fatigue. Give the concentrate a gentle roll before sampling because heavier captive molecules can settle over time.
Safely Using Cassis Base
Safe handling starts with smart habits. Always dilute Cassis Base before smelling it and never sniff straight from the bottle. Work in a well-ventilated space to keep airborne levels low. Protective gloves and safety glasses guard against accidental splashes on skin or in eyes.
Like many aroma chemicals, this base can trigger skin irritation or an allergic response in sensitive users. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before regular exposure. Brief contact with low concentrations is usually fine, yet repeated or high-level exposure may lead to headaches, nausea or respiratory discomfort.
If a spill occurs wipe it up with disposable towel followed by soap and plenty of water. Do not pour unused concentrate down the drain; collect it in a sealed container for chemical waste disposal according to local rules.
Always read the latest Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and revisit it often because regulatory limits can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage in each product type to keep both creators and end users safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Cassis Base
Store Cassis Base in tightly closed amber glass or high-density plastic bottles kept in a cool ventilated cupboard away from direct sun or heaters. Refrigeration is helpful for batches you plan to keep more than one year but it is not mandatory as long as the room stays below 20 °C. Sudden temperature swings can cause condensation so let chilled bottles warm to room temperature before opening.
Use polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. They form a broad conical seal that limits slow evaporation far better than dropper tops or pipette bulbs. Avoid half-empty bottles where possible; transferring leftovers into a smaller vessel reduces headspace and slows oxidation that can dull the berry note.
Label every container clearly with “Cassis Base,” the lot number, date opened and any hazard phrases from the latest safety data sheet. A bold flammable icon reminds users that its flashpoint sits at 58 °C so keep it away from open flames and hot plates.
For disposal collect unwanted concentrate or rinse solvent in a dedicated waste jar and send it to a licensed chemical handler. Although many of the individual components are biodegradable in the long run, pouring them down the sink risks aquatic toxicity if local treatment systems cannot break them down fast enough. Empty bottles should be triple rinsed with alcohol then left open in a fume hood until odor-free before recycling.
Summary
Cassis Base is a DSM-Firmenich specialty blend that delivers an instant blackcurrant impression packed with juicy fruit, green leaf and a touch of realistic sulphur. It functions as a ready-made top and mid-note accent in fine fragrance, haircare and home scent products where a fresh berry sparkle is wanted.
The material is popular because it saves time, stays stable for roughly two years and projects longer than many single fruit molecules. Cost sits in the mid range so it is accessible to both niche perfume houses and hobby creators. Perfumers should watch dosage above 5 percent to avoid a catty overtone and remember that high alkalinity can mute its freshness.
Commercial quantities are available directly from DSM-Firmenich while smaller volumes can be sourced through fragrance supply shops and generic blackcurrant bases sold by online resellers. Whether you buy a kilogram drum or a 10 ml hobby vial, follow good storage practice and the material will reward you with a vivid natural-feeling berry twist every time you open the bottle.