Fragrant Forever by Olivier Cresp

LabSolue presents its olfactory celebration of Orange Blossom.

The fragrant white flowers originate from the Bitter Orange Tree, Citrus Aurantium var. Amara, "Bigaradier" for Perfumers. Brought to Europe from China, where it was traditionally considered a symbol of purity and fertility, became a sacred flower of Sicily. Here, due to the excellent climatic conditions, it blooms twice a year, disclosing a fresh and sweet white floral scent with a sensual undertone beloved by the Sicilians. But its popularity as a wedding symbol came to it in England: it was Queen Victoria who, instead of jewellery, wore a simple wreath of Orange Flowers, a fragrant tiara, on her wedding day in 1840, setting the fashion for the Orange Blossoms association to brides and long happy life.

An Essence made of Orange Blossom Absolute, vibrant Petitgrain Bigarade and warm Myrrh.

Curiosity: the Bitter Orange Tree is a generous plant of which every single part is used in perfumery. Flowers are hand-picked and with the technique of extraction with volatile solvents, from the alcohol treatment of Concrète, Orange Flower Absolute is obtained; while from their distillation Neroli Essential Oil is produced. Leaves and twigs are separated during harvest to extract Petitgrain. From the cold pressing of the zest of the fruits Bitter Orange Essential Oil is made. Orange Blossom Water is a by-product obtained from the steam distillation of the Blossoms.