Nerolia Bianca or the story of a bigarade tree
Behind every creation, there is the search for the strong idea, the clear message that will structure the fragrance. The idea of the new Aqua Allégoria was to gather all the treasures of the bigaradier (the tree that gives bitter oranges): the fruit with the essence of the bitter orange, the flower thanks to the orange blossom absolute and the essence of the neroli, and finally, the branches from which the essence of petitgrain is obtained. From the roots to the top, the whole tree is put in a bottle!
The undeniable fragrances in this range are Mandarin Basil, Pamplelune and Herba Fresca. In this new fragrance, as in all the others, citrus notes are dominant. Nerolia Bianca highlights bitter orange.
Bitter orange, essential oil of the bigarade orange
Description
Bitter oranges are produced by the bitter orange tree. It is the fourth most cultivated citrus fruit in the world. The orange is said to be the golden apple of the citrus garden.
Benefits
Bitter orange essential oil has anti-depressant, sedative and bactericidal properties.
History and origins
The orange in native to South Asia, particularly China and India. The current cultivation of the orange takes place mainly in Brazil and Florida. It is also grown in Tunisia and Morocco, but production is less important as orange blossom and neroli are the main crops.
The orange comes from a small flowering tree, which can grow from 2 to 5 metres in height. The tree was planted in Europe around the 15th century. Almost a century later, women of the upper class consumed oranges daily to preserve their beauty and youth.
Processing and manufacturing of the raw material
The orange essence is obtained from the peel by cold expression. The orange skin is scraped off thanks to the "machina" which allows it to recover the essential oil or essence of bigarade.
Olfactory description of the bigarade orange
Olfactory family: citrus. Sparkling, a little close to the smell of a clementine, tangy, green accents, also a little aldehydic in a natural way.
Main constituents
Linalool, citral, C10 aldehyde, d-limone, C8 aldehyde, pinenes, methyl anthranylate, terpineol.
As soon as Nerolia Bianca takes off, the bigaradier and its olfactory wonders leave their signature with the sparkling essence of bitter orange with its tonic and fusing inflections, which offers an aromatic freshness full of character by marrying with peppermint.
Second very important accord: the essence of neroli combined with orange blossom absolute
Then, gently, the flight of the top notes gives way to the delicate essence of neroli in the top/heart accord. But to intensify its sensuality, it was chosen to combine it with orange blossom absolute.
Botanical name: Citrus Aurantium
Botanical family: Rutaceae
Description
The bigarade orange tree is 5 to 10 m tall. Its leaves are oval, shiny and evergreen. Its flowers are white or pink, larger than those of the sweet orange tree.
Benefits
Orange blossom absolute can be tonic, sedative or anti-depressive. Orange blossom water promotes sleep and calms infants.
History and origins
Orange blossom is a flower of the bitter orange tree. Four different raw materials are extracted from this tree (apart from bitter orange):
- petitgrain oil
- neroli oil
- orange blossom absolute
Use
The essence of petitgrain, neroli and orange blossom absolute have very different, yet complementary characteristics.
Processing and manufacturing of the raw material
The leaves and twigs are processed by distillation. The product that is distilled is called petitgrain essence, a fresh, lively, green fusing note, usually much used in eau de Cologne. Usually the white flowers are too fragile to withstand steam distillation. Orange blossom is the only one that lends itself to both methods: distillation and extraction with volatile solvents.
The steam distillation of the flowers produces the essence of neroli. Neroli oil is fresh, airy, and very melting. It acts especially in the top notes, it has very slightly lavender and sweet accents (a little marshmallow).
Extraction with volatile solvents is used to obtain orange blossom absolute. Orange blossom absolute is more "indolent" (natural animal note contained in white flowers). It is darker, intense and acts as a heart note. It has a narcotic, animal, sensual side. More honeyed (due to the phenyl acetic alcohol).
Main constituents
Neroli oil: linalyl acetate, linalool, alpha pinene, d-limonene, methylantranylate, indole, geraniol, nerol, phenyl ethyl alcohol.
Orange blossom absolute: indol, linalool, mehylanthranylate, linalyl acetate, nerol, geraniol, pinene, phenyl ethyl alcohol.
This bouquet of neroli and orange blossom is combined with ylang-ylang essence. Two very slightly fruity-honey floral notes that reveal a voluptuous femininity (or masculinity).
This heart trio can now be extended into the comfortable and enveloping base accord. There, they mingle with notes of white musk nuanced by an accord of white amber and cedar wood.
Thus, Nerolia Bianca reveals over time the timeless and refined freshness of an eau de Cologne, the intensity of an eau de parfum and the depth of a skin fragrance.
Since 1999, the Aqua Allegoria spirit has never ceased to reinvent itself, like a garden which, season after season, reveals new fragrances and new colours.
Sylvaine Delacourte perfumes
Discover Sylvaine Delacourte's brand with her Orange Blossom, Musk and Vanilla Collections. You can try them thanks to the Discovery Boxes (5 Eaux de Parfum x 2 ml) and rediscover these raw materials as you have never smelled them before.