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Orange Blossom: Ingredient Guide, Info, Smell & More!

The scent is both animalic and intense while also managing to encompass a fresh, floral scent.

The duality of the scent is partly why it’s so alluring, managing to simultaneously be both sweet and sour.

Orange blossom is associated with good fortune and has been woven into the bouquets and posies of brides and bridesmaids for centuries.

It’s representative of purity, innocence, and fertility.

What is Orange Blossom?

It’s the fragrant flower of the bitter orange tree, otherwise known as the Citrus aurantium.

The blossom itself consists of beautiful white flowers, though it can often be confused with the mock orange shrub, a deciduous spring-blooming bush whose white flowers are reminiscent of orange blossoms. 

The orange blossom tree grows in orange groves and produces different types of extracts ubiquitous to perfumery.

The leaves can be used to produce the petitgrain bigarade essence. 

The fruit produces the bitter orange essence, while the flowers can release several extracts: neroli essence, orange blossom water, and orange blossom absolute. 

Bitter orange blossom and neroli are, in fact, quite different, despite coming from the same citrus trees.

Neroli oil has a lighter scent, so neroli perfumes pair this scent with other citrus or herbaceous notes. 

Orange blossom absolute is richer, sweeter, and slightly headier.

Therefore, it pairs well with other oriental middle notes, producing a fresh, clean scent.

Neroli and orange blossom both come from the orange flowers of the bitter orange tree or Citrus aurantium.

The blossom is extracted via the use of solvents while neroli essential oil is steam distilled.

Orange blossom’s versatility makes it an indispensable ingredient for the perfume industry.

Orange blossom perfumes are often a combination of natural bitter orange oil and synthetic materials, as the true essential oil is costly.

What Does Orange Blossom Smell Like?

The orange blossom scent from bitter orange trees is a soothing, calming, wonderful scent.

Its floral bouquets are derived from real flowers making this ingredient almost a fragrance by itself. 

It’s summery and fresh on initial application with woodier, deeper base notes.

What Scent Family is Orange Blossom?

Orange blossom fragrances, unsurprisingly, fall under the citrus scent family.

The citrus scent family often produces a popular neutral fragrance due to their fresh fragrance notes. 

What are the Benefits of Orange Blossom?

While producing some of our favorite scents, for customers to fully enjoy orange blossom, it’s also used as a culinary ingredient at the same time to add a floral, citrus hint to sweet and savory dishes.

Many enjoy adding a few drops of the oil to iced water for a refreshing drink or even to coffee for an aromatic flavor. 

The blossom water is also popular in African and Middle Eastern cuisine and is added liberally to delicious salads. 

Moreover, orange blossom fragrance makes a fine addition to your ironing water.

Due to its intensity, a few drops go a long way, so use sparingly. 

Its oil is mildly astringent and can be used as a facial toner for all skin types to leave skin feeling smooth and soft. The delicious fragrance is just a bonus!

It’s also used in aromatherapy to soothe and relax nerves and promote sleep.

This blossom is a popular scented candle option too.

The oil can soothe sunburn and be used to treat minor wounds on your pets.

In the Middle East, children are sometimes given it to settle upset stomachs. 

It’s worth noting that you should seek medical advice before applying these products.

Is Orange Blossom Feminine or Masculine Scent?

Orange blossom perfume can be masculine or feminine. 

The scent of the orange flower is extremely versatile and can be combined with other notes to produce orange scents which are masculine, feminine, or unisex (such as JM orange blossom).

Best Perfumes with Orange Blossom Notes

1. Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne

Jo Malone Orange Blossom is a beautiful scent.

The orange fragrance combines the full bloom of bitter oranges with orris and green vetiver to create a scent akin to the forest floor. 

Jo Malone is a genius at expertly combining fragrances to produce long-running masterpieces.

2. Yves Saint Laurent Libre

Libre, the french word for free, pays homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s most defining value: freedom. 

This eau de parfum mixes the fruit’s notes with aromatic lavender (traditionally used in male fragrances) and delicate green tea to bring sensuality to this androgynous fragrance. 

3. Marc Jacobs Splash Orange

Released as a male cologne in 2006, Marc Jacobs combines top notes of mandarin, bergamot, and neroli entwine with freesia, white rose, amber, and oakmoss to create a masculine, sensual, and lingering fragrance. 

The fragrance composition can be attributed to Maurice Roucel and Patricia Choux.

4. Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Male

Launched in 2007 with a top note of petitgrain, this fragrance is widely considered a unisex fragrance.

It’s cleverly named and is a more floral version of his Le Male cologne.

5. Caron Narcisse Noir

A classic launched in 1911, this fragrance is an ode to both orange blossom and neroli.

It combines the two scents to create a fascinating, rich, and alluring feminine fragrance. 

Its name inspired the classic film ‘Black Narcissus,’ co-directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Actress Gloria Swanson is even rumored to have demanded the perfume be sprayed liberally onto the sets of Billy Wilder’s ‘Sunset Boulevard’! 

While never fully substantiated, this rumor has certainly added to the allure and mystique of this revered scent.

The Bottom Line

An orange blossom note adds freshness and vibrancy to any perfume. It’s androgynous, addictive, and deeply ensnares your senses!

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