Petigrain- Bigaradier, Bitter Orange Tree; Citrus x aurantium

“Nāraṅga” is the Sanskrit word for “orange tree” and “fragrant”, and though we generally associate the fruit “Orange” with the color, this is its true origin, in the Bitter Orange trees of Asia, which were brought to Spain sometime in the 10th century by the Moors who conquered the region. History has written quite the story from there. While sweet orange varieties have taken over the culinary counters, it’s the Seville oranges and their tree, known as Bigaradier, or the Bitter Orange Tree, that dominate use in perfumery, with just about every part of the tree being used in the industry.

The blooming flowers are steam distilled to create Neroli oil. The blossoms can also be extracted with solvents or through enfleurage to create Orange Blossom absolute. The flowers not used for this purpose will be left to fruit, where the rinds will be expressed, giving Bitter Orange oil.

Traditionally, Petitgrain is extracted exclusively from the young leaves and stems of the Bitter Orange tree, sometimes with the buds starting to form, giving it a rare profile that combines notes of bright citrus, green vegetation, woods, and white florals, which is why it’s one of the most widely used raw materials in perfumery, often used in Neroli accords to replace the far more expensive flower extract.