Ancient Egyptians believed sycamore trees grew on the border between the land of the living and the realm of the dead. Greek myths tell of humans transformed into trees. In Japan, pine trees represent longevity (even immortality) but cherry trees’ fleeting blossoms are a reminder that life is brief. Where I live, several Northwest Coast Indian tribes carve clan histories into revered cedar wood, creating large totem poles and house posts. I’ve always loved the story of Siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightenment (and becoming the Buddha) while meditating in the shade of the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in India.
Trees are interesting as cultural and religious symbols, but they’re also beautiful plants whose bark, wood, roots, resins, leaves and fruit make perfumes smell “divine.” Infusion Organique Buddha’s Fig Eau de Parfum was inspired by a particular Bodhi tree — the ancient Sri Maha Bodhi located in Sri Lanka.
Buddha’s Fig contains certified organic fig extract, rose geranium, lemongrass oil, hyacinth, iris, wood, and amber. Buddha’s Fig begins with notes of fig leaf and “green”/barely opened hyacinth flowers; I believe the lemongrass oil adds an earthy touch to the fig “fruit” note that emerges in mid-development. Many perfumers accent the sweet nature of fig fruit by adding sheer musk and “milky-sugar” notes to fig fragrances. I like that type of fig scent, but I also appreciate a hint of piquancy in fig perfumes. There’s a pleasing “undercurrent” of rawness in the Buddha’s Fig base notes that reminds me of the flavor/scent of a freshly unearthed potato (imagine rinsing off the cool tuber in icy water and then taking a bite). Thankfully, the amber-wood notes in Buddha’s Fig are not heavy and do not in any way dampen the lively nature of the fragrance. Buddha’s Fig is a perfect warm-weather scent; it’s refreshing and has light sillage, but it also has good lasting power.
Since smelling Buddha’s Fig, my favorite fig perfume duo (Diptyque Philosykos and Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée) has become a trio. I admit I didn’t expect to be inspired, let alone enlightened, by an organic $35 perfume, but as Buddha knew, something does not have to be costly to be precious.
Infusion Organique Buddha’s Fig 50 ml Eau de Parfum spray is $35; the scent is also available in home fragrance (reed diffusers, $56-90; candle, $38) and body products (body lotion, $20; body hand wash, $18). For buying information see the listing for Infusion Organique under Perfume Houses.
Note: Buddha Sunset and pipal leaf images via Wikimedia Commons.
43 Comments
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Wow – how exciting! I have the same favorite duo of Philosykos and Jardin en Mediterranee, so I’m especially excited about the prospect of having a favorite trio. For $35 no less!
Tsetse: tis so inexpensive…couldn’t believe it myself.
Really cute bottle, too….
Kevin: Oh my goodness! If $100 is the new free, what is $35? Like saving money, right?
Funny, even with my deep interest in things Buddhist, I never realized the bodhi tree was a variety of fig.
This sounds terrific, and I’m also a lover of Philosykos & Méditerranée. I’m about to order a bottle (yes, really). Those of you who want to try some, or a small decant, and who know where to find me, feel free to drop me a note! Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
If $100 is the new free, doesn’t $35 mean buy 2? LOL kidding!
I’m so hoping you’ll save me a teeny tiny sample….but I just can’t imagine anything dislodging Philosykos from my figgy heart.
Daisy: buy THREE, I’d say! I like the naturalness of this fig very much.
hush! you just stop that sort of talk!
Wasn’t it Kevin’s fault that you ordered FOUR Balsam de la Mecca (I don’t think that’s the right name) bottles?!?
ha! we’re up to 6 now. He wrote the review therefore I get to blame him. This is just how things work in the Daisy-centric universe–haven’t you figured that out yet?
Joe, you’re welcome…tell me what you think.
Great review, and being a huge tree lover I found this to be very interesting – thank you so much. I wanted to like Philosykos but it had a fairly strong chemical note on my skin. This sounds like it might finally be the fig scent for me.
that is so wild Rapple. On me Philosykos is sweet creamy figgy almost floral —all soft and cuddly with an earthy undertone….love the stuff! I guess you’ll have to console yourself with a dab of 180 Ans….
Yeah, I’ll try to feel better with the 180 but it will be tough….. NOT! LOL!
Rappleyea: I smelled a brand new bottle of Philosykos recently and it seemed ‘different’ to me. I’m praying the bottle was “off”, had been scalded in the sun…etc!
You keep telling yourself that Kevin. Don’t even think that ugly “R” word!
Sounds delicious. Note to self: need small decant of Philosykos.
Dissed: glad to have jarred your memory!
Another great review Kevin—- for some reason I’m most intrigued by the prospect of a reed diffuser in this….seems like it’d be yummy and soothing at the same time!
I was afraid to read your review…..we all know what the Balsamo della Mecca review did to me!! And in case you didn’t know: my splitting ONE bottle has turned into splitting SIX bottles….you are a dangerous man.
Daisy: OH. MY. GOD!!!! I can’t even imagine. You must be getting carpal tunnel from all those exquisite decants you prepare!!! (And I”m going to try the shower gel and diffuser in this line too…)
oh good lord….don’t review them! I can’t afford it!
ohhh, you mean this line “Infusion Organique” whew! ok—-I thought you meant the La Via del Profumo line and was momentarily filled with panic!
All hail Kevin, the Lemming King.
I think I was right behind Joe in the ordering line. Because you can never have enough fig. And it might lead to enlightenment.
Ha! Enlightenment for only $35 !! sign me up!
Daisy: my dear, you WANT, NEED, DESIRE, COVET too much to ever be enlightened!!! HAHAHA!
hmmmm…true, true…
well, I do always say “stick with your strengths!”
Aparatchick: I HOPE SO!
As a brand new perfumista, I sampled many, many perfumes trying to find a fig I can really love. I haven’t found it yet – so many of them smell too much like fig leaves and not enough of the fruit., or, they smell too milky sweet like you mentioned. Maybe I’ll give this one a try. My other cheap thrills fig is Ex Libris by Tokyo Milk.
I’ve only sniffed a couple of the Hermes fragrances, but the one that stuck in my mind to try again is Un Jardin en Mediterranee. Maybe it is time for another round of figs.
Thanks, Kevin!
Julia: oh, I’ll have to try Ex Libris then…at least a soap or two.
K – I’d stick w/the perfume for this one. It’s closer to the Mediterranee end of the fig spectrum; more sharp, less creamy. It really IS good, as cheap thrills go. I’ll be curious to try this one; the Diptyque is much too coconutty-sweet on me.
Sorry, kids distracting… the first “this one” above was Ex Libris, and the second the Buddha’s Fig. Gracious.
I really like Ex Libris; by far the best thing I’ve tried from Tokyo Milk.
Beautiful review K, I love your writing. It calls to mind the book Siddartha by Herman Hesse, one of my all time faves.
I think sometimes it’s almost worse when the rave review is for an affordable ‘fume rather than an extravagant one… the (relatively) cheap price makes it easier to justify an unsniffed purchase! I mean, $35!?!? How can I NOT afford it!!!
k-scott: that does seem to be the case!
The only figgie I know/own is Artisan’s Premier Figuier – how do these compare? I sometimes get a bit overwhelmed by a sort of sandalwood/savoury coconut tinge and feel I’d prefer something sweeter but greener.
Jillie: the L’Artisan was never a favorite of mine and I’ve not smelled it in years. It was very watery on me. Maybe someone else has smelled it recently and can comment.
I’d happily give you mine if I lived in the States!
My Sweetie has a wonderful pipe tabacco that has a sweet virginia tabacco and ( I swear I’m not making this up) a sort of fresh fig newton scent. Now that’s what I’m looking for! Not milky/sweet so much as jammy/rich. It’s a great blend and to be honest if I could find a fragrance that captured those notes I’d be all over it..or it would be all over me, I guess.
There is something about pipe tobacco wafting through a room, a sensual scent you want to keep breathing in. Why it hasn’t been captured is puzzling, but then again, I’m a ‘relatively’ new perfumista. Maybe an elder could enlighten us? I’m sitting in lotus pose until further word. I’m definitely going to try OBF.
MeadowBliss: I’ll have to think a bit…a straightforward pipe tobacco….
MomLady, sounds like something Serge Lutens would make!
Yes, he should. Using Mac Baron’s Cube or even W.O.Larson’s Old Fashioned pipe tabaccos as reference scents! I don’t know that it even has to approximate lit tabacco..these smell so yummy just filling the pipe.
Organic fig? I stand in line. Fun thing to give it to my brother who is a yoga teacher. Has to be organic then, he cares a lot about that.
MYBB: this sounds perfect for him!