Citrus

Citrus, a family of volatile notes

The Citrus family brings together a set of essential oils obtained by extraction from citrus zests, such as bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, orange and mandarin. This is why the Citrus family gave rise to the “eaux de Cologne”, such as those of Roger & Gallet, the first of which dates back to 1806. The Citrus family is therefore the oldest olfactory family. Citrus notes, often called “Citrus”, are generally used as top notes in a fragrance. They never go out of fashion over time, and remain just as popular. Fragrances of the Citrus family are fresh, light and tangy. Highly volatile, Citrus notes give the first impression a fragrance projects, but do not last very long. This is why Citrus notes are combined with other olfactory families. Nowadays there are countless blends, each more remarkable than the last.

The brilliant pairings of Citrus in perfumery

Among the secondary families, there are the Citrus Aromatic ones. Aromatic herbs such as lavender, marjoram, mint, rosemary or thyme are then added to the citrus. These fragrances are rather feminine. They portray women who are lively, spirited and fresh. There are also the Citrus Woody ones. Here, citrus notes are enhanced with woody notes such as sandalwood, patchouli, oak, and also with powdery notes such as mimosa or iris. These fragrances are reassuring, comfortable and suit active men perfectly, as with the fragrance Cerruti 1881. Among these compositions, there are also the Citrus Spicy ones. Here, citrus is paired with spices such as cinnamon, clove, pepper, ginger or nutmeg. These are most often powerful fragrances that suit men better than women, as demonstrated by the fragrance Cacharel pour Homme, whose success needs no further proof. Among the subcategories, there are also the Citrus Chypre Floral and Citrus Woody families.

The Citrus family, the first olfactory family, still enjoys a great deal of success today. Made up of citrus zests, fragrances of this family are generally fresh, light and fruity. However, since citrus does not last long, Citrus notes are used as top notes and blended with other fragrances. Citrus Floral, Citrus Chypre, Citrus Woody, Citrus Aromatic or Citrus Spicy, these fragrances do not go out of fashion over time. The Citrus family has given rise to some truly great fragrances, for men and women alike. Make no mistake, the first olfactory family intends to hold its rank for a very long time to come!