95 % of orange peel oil (sweet quality, Florida or Messina) is Limonene. Isn’t this amazing. In the remaining 5% must be the components that make sweet orange oil unique, because limonene alone smells like a neutral citrus. Think household cleaner.
I got samples of two qualities of sweet orange peel oil: one from Florida and one Messina. The later is a bit more bitter and zestier. The Florida quality is a bit sweeter. In the certificate of analysis you find a few other components besides limonene, such as Pinene, Sabinene, Myrcene, Ocatanal (=fruits), Decanal, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol. And these are just the most important components (and also EU allergenes).
This is the fascination of working with natural essential oils: They are so complex. And then there is grapefruit, there is lime, there is yuzu and mandarines, and clementines. Take the same Limonene at high percentage and add a few other its and bits and you end up with a grapefruit or a lemon peel oil. Isn’t his amazing?
You see: I am in a full blown citrus phase these days. One reason: I am planning the annual scent apero in December in the back of my mind, thinking “CITRUS”.
Today’s picture: A scan of a lemon. Enjoy!
Morning Andy,
On the subject of natural oils, am I right in thinking that rose absolute contains so many individual components that we haven’t yet identified all of them?
By the way, I love the name ‘sabinene’. What does that smell like?
Good morning, Persolaise
Not that I would have smelt Sabinene before. But do you know this site: http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1056021.html
? This and other sources say it is spicy citrus…
Hi Andy, I love all citrusy scents–it’s just a shame that they are usually so fleeting. Does this mean that your Xmas scent this year will be a full-on citrus? Have a “zesty” day!
Hi Jen
actually, yes… they are fleeting. There is lemon grass or Litsea cubea with a citrus touch that stays longer, but it is not the same.
The X-mas scent this year: I make soaps again, and it will be (again) the Mandarines ambrées
Maybe I make a bit of a cologne for friends, too. We will see
Thanks for the link, Andy.
I wonder who/what sabinene is named after…?
I loved this post, Andy. I’m always willing to know things about essential oils
And I adore citrusy smells. Perhaps because I’m from the SouthEast of Spain (lots of citrus here) and I have worn citrusy colognes since I was a child…
Why or why o why do they always put citrus smells in the top notes. Thats why i probly dont like a lot of summer frags. Just can handle the bitter version of a citrus if its not too long lasting.
Sometimes there is a rasping quality of bitter citrus in traditional eaus that is not always pleasant. Usually not the same juicy exhilarating smell of peeling the fresh fruit. It will be very fun to find out the Tauer approach…the ingredients list from Monday sounded very delicious. Maybe Sabinene is the “juicy exhilarating” molecule! Andy, you must check this out.
Good evening, Andy,
a smart photo, such color and a background as though, I look from above at a head of the newcomer from other planet, probably is a portrait of your confidential assistant? ?
I too love a citrus, these such riches, and very bright aromas.
Hi Andy, I like what you do with citrus. I’ve been wearing Eau d’Epices recently and I think it’s a great citrus for winter. It’s juicy, tart and warm spicy.
Also, do not forget the divine smell of CITRON! Nothing in the world smells as complex and exquisite as it
http://users.kymp.net/citruspages/citrons.html#history
So Vladimir just let the cat out of the bag as to your assistant!!
Been wondering how you and W-Factor get all that work done in a timely fashion! Fruits are like humans – our biology is highly identical too! I echo piony on the wonderful Citron, nice!! Persolaise, Sabinene sounds like an Egyption princess to my ears… Music is the LEMONheads cover of Simon and Garfunkle`s“Mrs. Robinson“! :-0
Good morning to you all.
Hotlanta Linda and Vladimir
the answer to your question is very simple: No assistant but hard work including some night shifts….I guess the W.-factor goes for an assistant these days and without these helping hands: No chance! And I love “Mrs Robinson”.
Piony
thanks for the link. Imagine a perfumery without the treasures from citrus plants. From the leaves, from the peel, the flowers. amazing!
And the best: Some of them can be eaten
Hi Isa
Thanks! Maybe it is also a generation thing. I fear the youngsters of today do not get into contact with colognes like we did!
Good morning, Kjanicki
thank you for your compliment! I haven’t looked at eau d’épices from this perspective, but I guess you are right. In a sense, we have an orange blossom /citrus combo. One for summer, Orange Star, one for winter, Eau d’épices…
Hi Chris
I think Sabinene is more on the bitter-harsh-side, responsible for what you do not like too much
Greetings to you!
Hi Andy,
you also got limonene in cumin oil. Quite interesting.
My employer (the company that starts with B and calls itself The chemical company) also makes some synthetic stuff (citral, geraniol and others). What do you think of those? I once smelled and, to be honest, they did not seem very “naturidentisch” to me. Is that stuff rather put into cheap fragrances?
Do you buy essential oils from argentina? I reckon las sierras cordobesas is a good place for aromatic plants. They have a small CO2 extraction plant at university. Are CO2 extracted oils really better than oils obtained by steam distillation?