Blood Oranges get their distinctive dark flesh color from the presence of anthocyanins, antioxidant pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but rare in citrus fruits. Anthocyanins, however, are odorless and water-soluble, therefore they do not appear in the essential oil.

Considering that most citrus peel essential oils contain very high percentages of limonene (up to 95%), one would expect them to have more similar aromas. The fact that Orange, Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit essential oils smell differently due to constituents amounting to less than five percent of the overall oil is fairly comprehensible. The fact that Orange oils of the same species can differ aromatically based on percentages of less than one percent is pretty remarkable.

We recommend using this essential oil with appropriate restraint, as the aroma of Blood Orange is so convincing, you may feel yourself suddenly transported to southern Italy without ever leaving your chair!