Hay Absolute, with the CAS number 8031-00-3, is a unique fragrance raw material derived from the hay plant. It is classified as an 'OTHER' type ingredient and is known for its warm, sweet, and slightly herbaceous character, which can evoke the scent of freshly cut grass or hay fields. In perfumery, Hay Absolute is often used to add depth and complexity to compositions, particularly in gourmand, floral, and aromatic fragrances. It can serve as a base note, providing a rich, earthy undertone that enhances the overall olfactory experience. This ingredient is typically employed in lower concentrations due to its potent aroma, and it can be combined with other natural and synthetic materials to create well-rounded scent profiles. As with many fragrance ingredients, it is important to consider safety and regulatory aspects when using Hay Absolute. While specific IFRA restrictions may apply, it is advisable for formulators to consult the latest guidelines and safety data to ensure compliance and safe usage in cosmetic applications. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
Warm, sweet, coumarin-rich aroma of freshly dried grass and hay — reminiscent of a sun-baked meadow with tobacco-like and slightly tea-like nuances. Develops a soft, powdery, almost almondy sweetness over time with subtle green-herbaceous undertones.AI · claude-opus-4-7
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Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, page 188.
Generally, the commercially available Hay Absolutes are viscous liquids, dark amber, dark green or brownish green in color, occasionally they are soft masses of olive-brown color.
The odor is powerful and extremely sweet, quite diffusive, coumarin-like and faintly herbaceous, very uniform and tenacious. The undertone is almost jam-like sweet, reminiscent of figs or preserved prunes in odor type.
Hay absolute could be used in flavors, but the coumarin-ban is, at least ethically, extended to such natural products which contain significant amounts of coumarin.
Hay Absolute is used in perfumery not only in 'new mown hay' bases, or in combination with flouve, melilotus, tonka, woodruff, deertongue, etc., but also as an individual note to be introduced whenever a truly herbaceous-sweet undertone is required: in lavender, fougére, chypre, colognes, tea-notes, 'tabac'-notes, forest-notes and various bouquets. Interesting effects are obtained with hay absolute in jasmin bases, orange flower bases, etc.
The botanical material is extracted with petroleum ether to produce a concréte. The absolute is prepared by alcohol washing of the concréte.
Restricted IFRA-standard materials typically present in this NCS at the listed concentrations.
| Constituent | CAS | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| COUMARIN | 91-64-5 | 8% |