What Is Framboise?
Framboise is a ready-to-use fragrance material designed to recreate the smell of ripe raspberries. It sits in the group of speciality aroma bases rather than being a single isolated molecule. The best-known version comes from DSM-Firmenich, a major supplier to the perfume and household-care industries, although smaller companies sell comparable raspberry bases made to their own formulas.
The ingredient is produced through standard food-grade aroma chemistry. Individual aroma molecules that naturally occur in raspberries are created in a lab from plant-derived or petrochemical feedstocks, then blended in precise ratios to give a rounded, realistic fruit note. Because it is assembled from stable synthetics the liquid stays clear and free-flowing at normal room temperature.
On the shelf Framboise looks like a colourless to pale yellow fluid. It pours easily, mixes quickly into both oil-based and water-based perfume concentrates and does not crystallise in cold rooms. Its stability profile is excellent, so perfumers reach for it whenever they need a raspberry nuance that will survive the rigours of soap curing or candle burn temperatures.
Usage is widespread in fine fragrance, personal care and home-care products. A perfumer may place only a fraction of a percent in a floral bouquet or stack it heavier in a fun gourmand accord. With proper storage it usually keeps its full strength for around two years before a slow drop in freshness may be noticed.
Cost sits in the mid range for fruity bases. It is not so precious that it can only be used in expensive eau de parfums, yet it is refined enough to elevate budget cleaning products. This balance between price and performance explains why it is a staple on many fragrance lab benches.
Framboise’s Scent Description
Framboise belongs to the fruity family. Off a blotter it opens with an instant burst of bright red raspberry, sweet yet slightly tangy, almost as if the fruit has just been crushed between your fingers. Underneath the jammy sweetness you may catch subtle green seeds, a hint of tartness and a delicate floral edge that keeps the accord lively instead of candy-like.
In perfume structure we talk about top, middle and base notes. The top notes are what you smell first, the middle is the heart that appears after a few minutes and the base is the long-lasting trail. Framboise lives mainly in the top and early heart. It flashes out with strong impact in the first 15 minutes then gently folds into the composition, supporting floral or gourmand companions for another hour or two.
Projection is medium. It creates a cheerful aura close to the skin without shouting across the room. Longevity follows the typical pattern of most fruit bases: noticeable for one to two hours on a blotter, then a soft berry whisper that can linger up to half a day if anchored by richer woods, musks or vanilla.
How & Where To Use Framboise
Perfumers reach for Framboise when they want a vivid yet natural raspberry note that holds its colour through the life of a scent. It slips easily into berry accords, brightens floral hearts and gives gourmand blends a juicy lift. Because it is a finished base rather than a single molecule it already has depth, so you can use it straight from the bottle without having to build a full raspberry chord from scratch.
At low levels, traces up to 0.3%, Framboise behaves like a shimmer on top of rose, peony or violet notes. It adds mouth-watering freshness without declaring itself as raspberry. Between 0.5% and 2% it becomes clearly fruity, perfect for playful fine fragrances, shampoo or softener where a friendly red-berry signature is wanted. Pushed toward 5% it dominates the formula with rich jammy sweetness that suits gourmand sprays, body mists and candle blends.
The material is forgiving but not foolproof. Over-dosing can make a perfume smell flat or syrupy, masking lighter nuances and shortening diffusion. If you need very high raspberry strength consider pairing Framboise with tart accents like rhubarb or blackcurrant bud to keep the profile lively.
Framboise shows excellent stability in soap, detergent and candles, where many natural fruit oils would burn off or discolor. It is less suited to ultra-fresh colognes that rely on airy citrus transparency because its red tone can feel heavy in that setting.
Preparation is simple. The base is already liquid so you can weigh it straight into your concentrate. If you plan to use more than 2% in an alcohol perfume make a 10% or 20% solution first to dose more accurately and avoid accidental spills. Stir or shake well after addition because heavier berry materials can settle if the mix is left standing.
Keep a small blotter nearby while you build the formula. Adding Framboise in increments then smelling on paper helps you stop at the point where the raspberry feels realistic yet not overdone.
Safety Information
Always work with Framboise in diluted form. Mix a small amount into alcohol or dipropylene glycol before evaluating it on a blotter. Avoid lifting the bottle to your nose as the neat aroma can overwhelm your senses.
Work in a well-ventilated space or under a fume hood to limit inhalation of vapors. Wear nitrile gloves to prevent skin contact and use safety glasses to guard against splashes.
Some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions when handling aroma chemicals. If you notice redness or discomfort wash the area with soap and water and discontinue use. Consult a medical professional if symptoms persist.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding speak with your healthcare provider before working with fragrance ingredients. Short encounters with low concentrations are generally considered safe but extended or high-level exposure can present health risks.
In case of spills absorb with paper towels or inert material, seal the waste in a plastic bag then place it in a chemical waste bin. Do not pour large quantities down the drain.
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and follow its instructions. Check current IFRA standards for maximum usage levels in each product type and update your formulas if the limits change.
How To Store & Dispose of Framboise
Framboise is a stable liquid but like most aroma materials it stays fresher when shielded from light heat and oxygen. A dedicated fragrance fridge kept around 4 °C slows oxidation and helps the scent keep its brightness for well over two years. If refrigeration is not possible store bottles in a cupboard or cabinet that remains cool all day and never gets direct sunlight.
Use containers made of amber glass or high-density polyethylene fitted with polycone caps. These cone-shaped liners create an airtight seal that dropper tops cannot match, so fewer volatiles escape and the raspberry note stays sharp. Avoid filling a large bottle only halfway; transfer remaining stock into a smaller vessel so the headspace is minimized.
Keep working dilutions separate from the neat material. A 10 % or 20 % solution stored in its own clearly labeled bottle lets you weigh small doses without re-opening the master container each time. Label everything with the material name date of opening hazard pictograms and any personal safety notes so you never confuse it with similar fruity bases.
When a batch finally loses its sparkle do not pour it down the sink. Small hobby quantities can be soaked into cat litter or paper towels then sealed in a sturdy bag and placed in household waste according to local rules. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal service. Framboise is partly biodegradable but the high concentration of fragrance molecules can still stress water treatment systems if flushed.
Rinse empty bottles with isopropyl alcohol let them air dry then recycle the glass or plastic if your municipal program accepts chemically exposed containers. Wipe tools and pipettes with alcohol before washing to prevent lingering berry notes that could contaminate future blends.
Summary
Framboise is a ready-made raspberry base from DSM-Firmenich that delivers a lively sweet-tart fruit note without the instability of natural berry oils. It blooms in the top and early heart of a perfume giving everything from floral bouquets to gourmand candles a joyful red accent.
The material is prized for its balance of cost performance and versatility. It survives soap curing and candle flames stands up in detergents yet remains refined enough for fine fragrance. Stability is excellent though users should watch for oxidation if bottles sit half empty in warm light-filled rooms.
Because Framboise is already blended it saves time in the lab and helps hobbyists achieve a convincing raspberry effect with a single drop. Availability is broad; commercial buyers can source drums and pails directly from DSM-Firmenich while smaller volumes appear through specialist ingredient shops reseller websites and generic aroma houses that offer their own raspberry bases.