Neroli is an essential oil extracted from the blossoms of the Bitter Orange Tree.

Neroli, Orange Blossom, Orange, Bitter Orange and Petitgrain are actually all produced by the Bitter Orange Tree. Both Neroli and Orange Blossom come from the blossoms, but differences in the distillation processes create different aromas. 

Neroli is native to the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, but is thought to have originated in the foothills of the Himalayas before spreading through trade routes. Today Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt are the main producers of Neroli.

Neroli Oil has been used for thousands of years for everything from sacred rituals and spiritual purification to medicine and wellness, cosmetics, wedding ceremonies and fragrance. It is a symbol of purity, fertility and eternal love. 

While it is possible the word Neroli comes from different languages meaning ‘Orange’, it is mostly thought that it originated from the 17th century princess Anne Marie Orsini, the Princess of Nerola, Italy. She was said to have popularized Neroli as she often used the oil to perfume her gloves, bath water and stationary.

It takes roughly 1000kg of hand picked blossoms to make 1kg of pure oil, and in fragrances creates an aroma that is citrusy, floral and green, and can vary from bright, luminous, sunny and slightly soapy to warm, honeyed, sensual and earthy.

It has been described as a bridge note, meaning it blends well with both lighter opening notes and warmer and floral heart notes, and helps the compositions to transition and blend seamlessly.

I find that it works well to boost other floral notes, especially Jasmine and Tuberose, can add a warm sensuality to denser notes like Amber, and adds an overall gentle citrus element in general. 

The fragrance that is reported to have popularized Neroli in fragrance was Jean Marie Farina’s ‘Eau de Cologne’, a citrus forward fresh and slightly herbally fragrance that originated in Cologne, Germany in the early 1800’s. The name ‘Eau de Cologne’ translates to ‘Water of Cologne’, in reference to the city where it was created. This fragrance is still in production today under the Roger & Gallet house.

Before we get into Neroli fragrances, I wanted to share a quote describing Neroli from Boadicea the Victorious: “A whiff of bitter marmalade and metallic white blooms provoke a clean soapy aura with hints of evergreen terpenes and intoxicating solar radiance dirtied up with indolic molecules and wicked honey”. This feels like a pretty spot-on, almost poetic way, to describe the aroma of Neroli.

4711 from Maurer & Wirtz - This scent is bright and refreshing with a Citrus, Herbal vibe from Neroli, Orange, Lemon and Bergamot blended with Lavender and Rosemary.

Neroli Sauvage from Creed - This scent is bright and fresh with Neroli and Orange Blossom lending a subtle floral essence to a Citrusy blast of Grapefruit, Lemon, Bitter Orange, Bergamot and Verbena. Amber adds a gentle warmth that keeps things grounded.

Neroli Bleu from Houbigant - This scent is bright and zingy with Neroli, Bergamot and Peppermint in the opening, Ginger and Pepper adding a fresh spiciness, Orange Blossom and Mimosa a soft floral element, and a Mineral Amber note adding a warm depth. 

Bergamotto di Calabria from Perris Monte Carlo - This scent is citrusy, floral and woodsy with a blend of Neroli, Jasmine and Sandalwood. It’s bright and invigorating as well as sultry and intimate. 

Athenais from Parfums de Marly - This scent is more floral with Neroli, Orange Blossom and Jasmine blended with Citruses, Vanilla and Amber to create a scent that is warm, citrusy and floral. 

Shalini from Shalini - This scent is romantic and elegant with Neroli infused into a White Floral Bouquet, and given radiant warmth from Sandalwood and Musk.

Vanille Imperiale from Houbigant - This scent is more of a sweet, citrus, Vanilla scent, but you can smell the Neroli under the surface adding its floral, citrus elements. 

Arbane 26 from 86 West - This scent is more woody and earthy with a Petrichor aroma. A rich Sandalwood note is brightened with a Sweet Almond accord, blended with Neroli and Blood Mandarin. It’s rich and earthy with a sweet side.

There are plenty more fragrances with Neroli in them, but these are the ones where Neroli is a prominent note. 

You can find all of these scents at Parfumerie Nasreen!