Orange blossom

History and characteristics of orange blossom

Orange blossom is the white flower of the bitter orange tree. Enthusiasm for orange blossom in Arabia extended to the Islamic Empire and Spain. It was not until the 11th century that orange blossom was introduced by the Crusaders to other European countries, starting with Sicily, then Provence. The Duchess of Bracciano and Princess of Nerola, Anne-Marie Orsini, used orange blossom as a perfume for her bath and her clothes at the end of the 17th century.
Too fragile to be distilled, the Arabs, who greatly appreciated the scent of orange blossom, had improved a Greek still system to separate orange blossom from its volatile components; this marked the beginning of orange blossom essential oil.

In perfumery, orange blossom has a floral, waxy, sweet, powdery and green scent. Compared to neroli essence, obtained from similar flowers, orange blossom smells heavier. Orange blossoms are used to create oriental and floral accords.

Perfumes based on orange blossom

The fragrance Narcisse Noir de Caron expresses the full magnificence of orange blossom. It is a perfume released in 1911 and remains a classic of perfumery today. However, it was reformulated in the 2000s. It now displays an orange blossom that is conventional, measured, silky and intense. It gives off a muted scent, certainly in place of the animalic note that was originally present. Orange blossom has a second-skin effect that is very soft in this perfume, even though the style is opulent. Sandalwood and white musks serve as base notes. As for the Eau de Toilette of the same name, it smells of a gourmand, musky and tonic orange blossom that strips away all the mystery of the original fragrance.

CK One Summer by Calvin Klein also bursts with orange blossom. This time, the creator crafted a perfume with an exotic style and a fruity heart note. Guava and, above all, orange blossom come through clearly. Its sweetness is slightly woody, with a note of cedar. With this perfume, orange blossom conveys the feeling of summer.

L de Lolita Lempicka represents a very feminine orange blossom perfume. This perfume is gourmand, pairing orange blossom with vanilla alongside notes of neroli, mandarin and bergamot, making it very tonic. Orange blossom is also slightly caramelized here, with a note of patchouli, amber and woody. L is smooth, soft and comforting. It gives off an impression of wisdom.