Orange Blossom (Morocco)
7 fragrances with this note
Part of accords: Floral, White floral, Solar
A variant of «Orange Blossom»
Moroccan: warmer, more honeyed, slightly “animalic”
More about «Orange Blossom» →
- Latin name
- Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)
- Family
- Rue family (Rutaceae)
- Origin
- Morocco
- Parts used
- bitter orange blossoms picked in spring
- Raw materials
- orange blossom absolute, neroli, orange flower water
- Extraction
- solvent extraction (absolute), steam distillation (neroli)
- Olfactory group
- floral (white flowers)
- Position in the pyramid
- heart
- Synthetic substitutes
- methyl anthranilate, linalool, nerolidol
Morocco is one of the most important producers of orange blossom. Bitter oranges grow here both in orchards and along the streets of old towns, and in spring their white flowers are picked by hand for absolute, neroli and fragrant water.
How it smells: Moroccan orange blossom is usually warmer and more honeyed than Tunisian: dense white flowers, orange marmalade, a light waxiness and a faintly animalic depth. It sounds sunny, generous and a little heady.
Orange flower water is part of Moroccan hospitality and cuisine: it is added to sweets, tea and pastries. So for many people this scent is associated with the warmth of home and a festive table.
What it pairs with: with jasmine and tuberose — a lush white-floral bouquet, with honey and vanilla — warm sunny compositions, with incense — solemn florals, with musk — clean skin scents, with bergamot — a fresh floral opening.
Good to know: in Morocco guests are traditionally welcomed by sprinkling their hands with orange flower water from a special silver flask — a sign of respect and hospitality.
