The bitter orange (or bigarade orange) tree is the source of a rich variety of extracts used in perfumery, flavors and cosmetics. Native to Asia Minor, it was introduced and planted by the Arabs in all the Mediterranean regions of Europe in the 9th century.
Bitter orange is cultivated mainly for its flowers, which are used to produce a wide range of orange blossom products – essential oil, absolute, etc. – and also for its fruits (bitter orange zest oil) and leaves (petitgrain). The essential oil derived from the blossoms is commonly called neroli.
Origin
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