Product Overview
Orange Blossom is but one expression of the pure white blossoms of Citrus aurantium var amara, the Bitter Orange tree, a resilient evergreen of the Rutaceae family. Although these are the same flowers that are used to distill Neroli essential oil, Neroli and Orange Blossom Organic Extract are produced using very different processes, rendering fragrance materials with somewhat different aromas and textures. The absolute has a powerful aroma and is more viscous while the organic extract is darker in color and carries a more delicate aroma. Orange Blossom Organic Extract is perfect for skincare and for creating the very finest natural perfumes; it perfectly complements other citrus notes, florals, spices and woods.
The aroma of Orange Blossom is greatly defined by the presence of the aromatically sultry, erotic and ‘animalic’ indole. The presence of indole, in stark contrast with the spring maiden and bridal imagery of this pure white flower, perfectly illustrates the blurred lines between virgin beauty and sexy siren.[1] Its popularity is legendary – approximately 12% of all modern quality perfumes contain Orange Blossom.[2]
Low yield and labor-intensive harvesting methods make all Orange Blossom extracts a very costly endeavor – approximately one precious kilo of Orange Blossom Absolute is extracted from 1,000 kilos of freshly harvested flowers![3] The yield of Orange Blossom Organic Extract is probably at least comparable.
1 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. "Neroli: A Fresh Perspective on an Aromatic Icon," International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy, Spring 2016, 4(4): 23-32.
2 Groom, Nigel. The New Perfume Handbook, 2nd ed., 1997, p. 227.
3 Naturals Compendium, International Flavors and Fragrances, 2009, p. 108.
4 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, pp. 73-4.
5 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 475.
6 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 373.
