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Marigold, the flower of the meadows which exudes the green apple
The marigold is a pretty flower that grew for centuries on the plains of America, from Canada to Argentina. It is history that transplanted the tagetes to South Africa and neighboring countries. Indeed during the Boer War in 1900 between the British of the New World and the Afrikaners, many horses were brought to the lands of southern Africa. By transporting fodder for the animals of America to Africa, the seeds of marigold made their first great journey to spread over the Malagasy, South African and Rwandan lands. It is for this reason that these countries are currently the largest producers of this precious marigold!
In addition, the pretty flower does not require much care and thrives in a relatively dry environment. The essential oil, which can be obtained relatively easily thanks to its flowers, will therefore become a raw material easy to obtain and rich in different facets for perfumers to exploit.
Marigold essential oil in oriental and floral fragrances
Marigold remains a raw material relatively little used in current perfumes although its many facets are easily exploited by their freshness and their originality in top notes in pretty flowery accords or oriental-flowery.
One of the bestsellers of the 1980s, Loulou by Cacharel, used marigold associated with fruity notes of blackcurrant, plum and anise in top notes to explode floral and solar heart notes ending on a powdery background. Loulou offers the vaporous and fleeting aniseed mix of top notes typical of the perfumes of the 80s, which will contrast much more sensual notes. Many flowery or oriental fragrances from this decade offer this olfactory duality created in particular by the marigold, such as Eau Cuivrée from Montana or even Elysium from Clarins.
Marigold with its fresh fruity facet would seem particularly intended for a female audience, but it is also starting to appear in male juices. Particularly at home in woody fragrances, some designers dare to launch marigold as a heart note. This is the case with King of Cool by Steve Mc Queen or even the aromatic and spicy Aura for Men by Jacomo. Could the marigold be the future of this new freshness that men love so much?
