Cardamom Coffee

Lush Cardamom Coffee: A Considered Review

There is a category of fragrance bought once and remembered for years, and Cardamom Coffee sits in it for a measurable reason. This EDP from Lush, built on Warm Spicy, Coffee, Aromatic, Woody, Green and released in 2016, was composed to be distinctive first and agreeable second. The data below shows exactly where that trade-off lands.

Cult UK brand's realistic herbal cardamon and bitter espresso creation.

The Scent: Notes, Structure & Dry-Down

Cardamom Coffee opens with Cardamom — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Once that burns off, usually inside the first half hour, the heart turns to Coffee and Rose. Hours in, what remains is the foundation: Oud and Olive Leaf.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Warm Spicy, Coffee, Aromatic, Woody, Green — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.

Longevity & Projection: Cardamom Coffee on the Clock

Longevity (8/10): Cardamom Coffee delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): Cardamom Coffee projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (5/10): Cardamom Coffee is suited to a specific context, with a clearly defined personality that not all occasions can accommodate. It thrives in its intended context but may feel mismatched further outside that sweet spot.

Value (6/10): Pricing at around $125 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.

How Cardamom Coffee Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold

Of the five climate zones we score, Cardamom Coffee does best in cold (Murree, New York) at 10/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is extreme heat (Riyadh, Phoenix) at 1/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

Tailor-made for chilly damp UK winters; oppressive in hot humid climates.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

When to Wear Cardamom Coffee

Cardamom Coffee is best suited to Autumn Walks, Cozy Coffee Dates, Evening Chill. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, Cardamom Coffee performs best in Fall, Winter. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

Versus MM Replica Coffee Break: vastly more authentic, earthy, and herbal.

What Cardamom Coffee Costs — and Whether It Is Worth It

Internationally, Cardamom Coffee sits at $125–$175. That puts it in the premium designer bracket — a meaningful spend, but well short of niche-exclusive pricing.

Regional pricing: PKR 35,000–48,000 in Pakistan, AED 450–650 in the UAE. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Lush UK, Lush US. GCC/UAE: Lush GCC Boutiques. Pakistan: Import Only.

Cardamom Coffee Clones & Cheaper Alternatives

Cardamom Coffee has workable budget alternatives — none a carbon copy, but each close enough to scratch the same itch for a fraction of the outlay, ranked here by how near they sit to the original:

Lattafa Khamrah (65% DNA match): $30 / PKR 7,500 / AED 85 — a saving of approximately 76% versus the original.

The Clone Finder searches the full database by note DNA if none of these fit.

Verdict

Cardamom Coffee earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.

An overall 6.4/10 puts Cardamom Coffee in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

Lacks sweet vanilla milk accords; can smell overly herbal/medicinal to gourmand fans.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Cardamom Coffee last?

Cardamom Coffee has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is Cardamom Coffee worth the price?

At around $125, Cardamom Coffee by Lush is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a considered purchase — evaluate your priorities against the alternatives before committing.

What does Cardamom Coffee smell like?

Cardamom Coffee is characterised by Warm Spicy, Coffee, Aromatic, Woody, Green accords. Opening with Cardamom, the heart revolves around Coffee and Rose, settling into a base of Oud and Olive Leaf.

Is Cardamom Coffee good for hot or humid weather?

Cardamom Coffee was not designed for extreme heat (score: 2/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

What is the best clone or alternative to Cardamom Coffee?

The closest alternative is Lattafa Khamrah at a 65% DNA match. At around $30, it represents a saving of approximately 76% versus the original.

Is Cardamom Coffee for men or women?

Cardamom Coffee is marketed as a Unisex fragrance. In practice, its character is better defined by its composition than by any marketing category.