Collection: Bitter Orange Fragrances

Bitter orange, also known as Seville orange Bigarade orange, is one of the many types of oranges and one of the most important citrus fruits used in the modern perfume industry. Bitter orange is a primary source of orange blossom and neroli extracts, valued for their delicious fragrance and wonderful, fresh, bittersweet citrus aroma. Bitter orange grows in warm regions of the world, but the best quality oil is produced from Spanish and Guinean orange peels. The smell of bitter orange is fresh, tangy and warm and bitter. Bitter oranges are native to northeastern India and parts of China and Myanmar. The fruit spread to the rest of the world in the 1st century CE, when the Romans began cultivating bitter oranges for use in natural remedies and as a delicious treat. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the cultivation of bitter orange stagnated for some time in Europe. It was the Arabs who spread it as far as Spain, where it still grows today, lining the streets and spreading the wonderful aroma of fresh citrus blossoms. Some of these trees are over 600 years old, but the oldest living bitter orange tree is believed to be planted in 1421 and still grows at the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris. When the Americas were discovered, the Spanish brought bitter orange seeds to North America, especially Florida and the Bahamas. Florida is known today as the largest producer of oranges in the world, and the fragrant blossoms of the orange tree are listed as symbols of the state of Florida. Bitter orange is mainly used for the production of essential oils, which are used in the perfume industry and as a flavoring. This kind of orange is not edible like the rest of commonly grown oranges, but it is frequently used processed, especially in the production of bitters, jams, marmalades and to flavor tea. Bitter orange extract is rich in synephrine which is known as a very good appetite suppressant. Bitter orange has long been used as a stimulant and herbal remedy, but recent studies have linked this substance to the increased risk of premature death from myocardial infarction heart attack. Today, consumer groups advocate avoiding the medicinal use of the fruit, but its sweetness is still preserved in the perfume industry and presents no harm. Bitter orange is a precious fruit for all perfumers, used for the production of orange blossom and neroli. Orange blossom absolute is obtained with volatile solvents, while neroli is obtained by steam distillation of freshly picked flowers. Neroli has a wonderful, heady, refreshing yet spicy floral aroma, making it a great addition to all kinds of flower arrangements, colognes, and skin care products. Orange Blossom Absolute is an intensely floral brownish liquid with a delicate, fresh scent that closely resembles the natural scent of fresh bitter orange. The bitter orange leaves, along with the flower buds, are steam distilled to produce petitgrain, an essential oil with a scent of greenish woody orange. Another derivative of bitter orange, which really marks this note in the world of perfumery, is bitter orange oil. This oil has a distinctive citrus aroma placed somewhere in the middle of sweet orange and bitter grape. Bitter orange oil gives the scent a distinctly pungent and bitter flavor, and it is primarily used in the production of colognes. This essence is obtained by the process of cold extraction of orange peel. The bitter orange note is found in Miss Dior Cherie L'Eau de Dior, a clean and fresh composition designed to accentuate the beauty of simplicity. It also emanates from Moschino�s Moschino Funny , a lively and cheerful fragrance designed especially for young girls. A more sophisticated take on bitter orange is offered in Chopard's elegant and romantic Happy Spirit, as well as the upbeat and floral Marry me by Lanvin. Cartier uses bitter orange in the top notes of Declaration, which is a woody floral musk fragrance for men, while Boucheron does the same in the oriental floral fragrance for women - Boucheron. Other scents containing hints of bitter orange can be found under this article.