Kumquat

The small trendy and sparkling citrus of citrus perfumes Kumquat is a small citrus fruit from China belonging to the same family as Citrus. Just like lemon trees, orange trees, calamondins or, more recently, yuzu, kumquat has appeared in perfumes as in kitchens, flooding dishes and fragrances with a rustic freshness. Citrus fruits, the main raw materials of the citrus family, are diversifying to offer new scents while retaining the freshness and vigor of the Eaux de Cologne that were so loved.

Kumquat, the small fresh citrus fruit from Asia

The citrus family is certainly one of the oldest olfactory families in perfumery. Perfumers are therefore in constant search of new raw materials that could bring a touch of fantasy to this family, as imperial as its Eau!
The small kumquat shrub (also called fortunella), native to Asia, is therefore potentially entirely suited to meet the criteria of citrus perfume lovers. This tiny mandarin grows on fruit shrubs that can quite easily be seen in French regions. While its skin is eaten along with the fruit for its sweet and fragrant delicacy, kumquat essential oil has numerous virtues, including that of being particularly fragrant!
Kumquat or fortunella comes in different varieties and has of course developed hybrid forms of its qualities to blend with orange (Orangequat) or with lemon (Limonquat). It would seem that the “small golden citrus”, as its name suggests, has many olfactory facets to showcase!

Citrus perfumes and new raw materials such as kumquat

Besides the eternal orange trees, lemon trees, bergamots or grapefruits, citrus fruits known for centuries are nonetheless making their appearance in the top notes of perfumes. The exotic touch of mandarin and the deliciously Asian favors of yuzu or kumquat are turning heads among current fragrances.
Citrus fragrances, feminine as well as masculine, remain certainly the best-selling, particularly during the summer season. However, certain tones must evolve, particularly because citrus notes are especially volatile… Kumquat therefore allows new citrus compositions to offer top notes that exhale sweet and syrupy fragrances.
Today, kumquat is present in most citrus subfamilies such as chypre floral citrus, aromatic citrus, woody citrus and spicy citrus. It is thus very well represented by the Marc Jacobs perfume “Splash – Kumquat” created in 2012, which offers both obviously citrus tones but also aromatic and even floral tones!

Clearly, kumquat is therefore not necessarily linked solely to the citrus family. In 2004, the oriental-woody “Boss Intense Shimmer” opened with top notes of ozone, spices and… kumquat! Sparkling and original, this Hugo Boss unisex juice opened new paths for kumquat. Ten years later, kumquat explored a new genre by appearing in a top note alongside red fruits in the beautiful floral-fruity “Dalia” by Salvator Dali. This shows just how much the small kumquat can be exploited and highlighted through numerous olfactory facets to offer perfumes ever more surprising fruity or tangy accords!