What are top notes?

Top notes are the first smells you notice when something is fresh and new, like the first bite of your favorite snack.

Imagine you're opening a brand-new crayon box. Right away, you smell the strong, bright color of the crayons, that's like the top note. It's the most noticeable part of a scent or flavor at first.

Like a Song with Different Parts

Think of a song: there’s the beginning, which grabs your attention, and then it changes as it goes on. The top note is like the start of that song, the loudest, freshest sound you hear right away.

Now imagine you're eating an apple. At first, you taste the sweet, juicy flavor, that's the top note. But as you keep eating, you might notice other flavors coming in too, like a little tartness or a hint of cinnamon if it’s a special apple.

So top notes are what make something feel exciting and new at first, just like your favorite snack or song! Top notes are the first smells you notice when something is fresh and new, like the first bite of your favorite snack.

Imagine you're opening a brand-new crayon box. Right away, you smell the strong, bright color of the crayons, that's like the top note. It's the most noticeable part of a scent or flavor at first.

Like a Song with Different Parts

Think of a song: there’s the beginning, which grabs your attention, and then it changes as it goes on. The top note is like the start of that song, the loudest, freshest sound you hear right away.

Now imagine you're eating an apple. At first, you taste the sweet, juicy flavor, that's the top note. But as you keep eating, you might notice other flavors coming in too, like a little tartness or a hint of cinnamon if it’s a special apple.

So top notes are what make something feel exciting and new at first, just like your favorite snack or song!

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A lemon burst in a perfume is the top note, like the first sip of a fizzy drink.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Science · fragrance· scent· aromachology