Bitter Orange (Calabria) Essential Oil

BITTER ORANGE (CALABRIA) ESSENTIAL OIL

Manufacturer: CAPUA 1880

Botanical name: Citrus aurantium, (L)

Plant part: Peels

Country of origin: Calabria (Italy)

Country of manufacturing: Calabria (Italy)

Extraction method: Cold pressing

DESCRIPTION

The Bitter Orange Essential Oil by Capua 1880 is obtained from Bitter Orange fruits cultivated and processed in Calabria, expressing the full aromatic richness of one of the most important citrus fruits in the Mediterranean tradition.

Obtained from the fruit peel by cold pressing, it presents a more dry, green, and bitter olfactory profile compared to Sweet Orange. Its opening combines the characteristic citrus brightness with nuances of fresh peel, bitter pulp, leaf, and subtle aromatic tones, creating a sophisticated, natural, and immediately recognisable note.

This particular complexity makes Bitter Orange an extremely interesting raw material for perfumery: it offers not only the characteristic luminosity of citrus fruits, but also introduces a bitter, green, and slightly terpenic component that gives greater character to the composition.

The processing in Calabria by Capua 1880, a company specialising in the processing of Italian citrus fruits, enhances a raw material closely connected to the region and to the Mediterranean citrus-growing tradition.

PERFUMERY

In perfumery, Bitter Orange Essential Oil is used to create citrus, green, aromatic, floral, and chypre accords, to which it imparts luminosity and a refined bitter facet.

Compared to Sweet Orange, which is softer, juicier, and sweeter, Bitter Orange offers a drier and more sophisticated personality. This difference makes it particularly interesting when a citrus note that is less gourmand and more green, elegant, and structured is desired.

Its affinity with raw materials from the Neroli and Petitgrain families makes it particularly useful for constructing accords inspired by the entire orange tree. It can create continuity between the brightness of the peel, the green nuances of the leaves, and the floral character of orange blossom.

From a formulation perspective, it blends particularly well with bergamot, lemon, mandarin, petitgrain, lavender, rosemary, jasmine, rose, vetiver, patchouli, and musks, contributing to the creation of Mediterranean, fougère, chypre, and contemporary citrus compositions.

It is particularly effective in formulas where the citrus note must retain brightness and naturalness while also possessing a more mature, dry, and sophisticated facet.

Olfactory family: Citrus

Olfactory pyramid: Top note

AROMATHERAPY

In aromatherapy, Bitter Orange Essential Oil is appreciated for its fresh, citrus, and aromatic aroma, characterised by a pleasant bitter component that distinguishes it from oils obtained from sweeter citrus fruits.

Its fragrance creates a bright yet balanced olfactory atmosphere, particularly suited to indoor fragrance and aromatic blends dedicated to moments of relaxation and well-being.

It blends harmoniously with bergamot, lemon, mandarin, lavender, petitgrain, neroli, and other aromatic essential oils, allowing the creation of more complex and refined citrus synergies.

COSMETICS

In cosmetics, Bitter Orange Essential Oil is used as a fragrance ingredient to impart a citrus, fresh, green, and subtly bitter note to formulations.