alpha aromatics®Usually associated with the warmer months of the year, citrus perfumes are generally characterized as those containing notes that are fresh, zesty and include fruits such as: sweet orange; juicy clementine; green, sunny mandarin; uplifting grapefruit; dynamic and fresh lemon and clean, sharp lime as well as citrusy raw materials such as gingery lemongrass, delicate and delightful verbena and slightly floral and highly-faceted bergamot.
They represent a unique olfactory family, as they are known to enhance all fragrance family themes.
Despite their dynamic nature and power, citrus notes are fleeting and volatile.
The citrus fragrance family has a rich and colorful history dating back to the glory days of Alexander The Great, who upon returning from an Asian expedition, transported citron plants to Greece.
Their use spread in the 10th century to Arab Mediterranean cultures who cultivated bitter orange. Bergamot first appeared in Calabria during the 15th century.
The first citrus notes used in perfumery date back to 1370 with the creation of the first perfumed composition, the Queen of Hungary water, which contained rosemary, sage, cedar and bergamot.
The birth of the citrus scent as we know it today occurred in the 17th century with the development of the world’s first eau de cologne, which contained lemon, bergamot, petit-grain and neroli.
Why Are Citrus Scents So Popular?
The term, citrus, applies to a wide range of olfactory formulations.
It may refer to either natural orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, mandarin, tangerine, or even citronella, which is not a citrus fruit but odor-wise, still fits into this category.
Citrus can be juicy, bitter, sulfurous, herbal, green, tough and leathery or sparkling fresh and clean.
The citrus perfumes created by our master perfumers are piquant, sparkling and pleasing, and their bright, invigorating character, which derives from the rich essential oils present in fruits, renders them ideal for daylight hours.
Scents like lemon and orange may be well known for their Vitamin C properties, but simply by sniffing the fruit, they also are energy boosters.
They also provide ideal aromatherapy for anxiety, and research from the U.S. National Library of Medicine indicates that lemon and sweet orange oil, among other citrus scents, have a positive effect on physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
This occurs because the smell of citrus has a beneficial effect on the limbic sector of our brains, which controls emotions and memory formation. Its aroma is calming and soothing.
Citrus notes are absolutely fresh, rendering perfumes extremely airy and light.
They are subtle, rather than potent and pure, lively, fresh and light.
Citrus oils, which are sometimes referred to as “liquid sunshine,” can help reduce feelings of anxiety and irritability.
They blend well with other botanical elements as well such as: lemon thyme and lemon basil.
The genetic constitution of these two particular types produce oils dominated by citral and geraniol, which render a totally different olfactory impression from standard conventional oils.
Relevant Citrus-Related Studies
A white paper entitled Scents and Moods written by Susan Minamyer, M.A. in Psychology, from Roosevelt University, indicated that animal studies using citrus oils of bergamot and lemon found that inhalation in rats affected mood altering hormones.
It further revealed that inhaling pink grapefruit essential oil regulated the nervous system, affecting both blood pressure and appetite.
In the case of humans, inhaling citrus scents, reduced stress levels in elementary school teachers, less anxiety in patients awaiting surgery and in anxiety in both men and women awaiting a stressful dental procedure, and less fatigue in healthy women.
The effects of a pleasant citrus fragrance on work-related behavior were also examined.
Subjects were asked to complete a word construction task featuring both low and high stress levels, and it was noted that the presence of a pleasant citrus fragrance significantly enhanced performance under both conditions.
Why Turn To Alpha Aromatics For Citrus Perfume Formulations?
Our perfumers and chemists at Alpha Aromatics have been producing fine perfumes since the late 1940s.
We are a family-run company and are known far and wide for our unparalleled ability to translate any company’s vision into fragrance terms that will attract and engage consumers.
Our fine compositions are used for a multitude of purposes including but not limited to: superior quality perfumes; scent branding; personal care products; candles and diffusers and fragrances for home products.
Roger Howell, our Vice president and Master Perfumer, and his team of chemists are always on top of industry trends when it comes to citrus-inspired fragrances for a vast array of scented products.
A Few Of Our Recently-Formulated Citrus Perfumes
The following represent some prime examples of citrus-based fragrances created by Alpha Aromatics that are used in a myriad of product types.
Citrus Nectar
This alluring exotic scent opens with fragrant streams of fruity, invigorating lemon, soft and succulent tangerine, cleansing and tart grapefruit, honey-like and peppery mandarin and sweet and sumptuous apricot nectar.
A heart note of sugary, dazzling pikaki, fine shimmering water-lily and fruity, sweet freesia soon appears, followed by a final base note of delicate, sun-dried driftwood.
Iced Mint Verbena
Streams of complex, floral and refined bergamot and fresh, clean lemon define the top notes of this invigorating scent.
These aspects soon fade into a heart note of cool, exhilarating peppermint, sugary, herbal spearmint and delightfully fruity and citrus-nuanced lemony verbena.
Rich, noble and alluring vanilla and sensual, nutty sage complete this alluring scent.
Pink Tangelo Orchid
A top note featuring invigorating grapefruit, juicy, zesty tangelo and dry, acidic and aromatic citron opens this warm, tropical fragrance.
These aspects soon meld into a heart note bouquet characterized by fresh, sugary and floral orange blossom, intense and intoxicating jasmine, dreamy, musky rose, and dusty, vanilla like orchid.
The scent completes with a base note of creamy sandalwood, sensual and woody oak moss and earthy, animalistic musk.
Radiant Currant And Amber
This compelling citrus-based scent opens with a burst of succulent, juicy mandarin, uplifting, tart grapefruit and tangy black currant.
These elements soon fuse into a heart note gleaming with bright, exotic lily, haunting jasmine and creamy, lustrous tuberose.
Aspects of warm honey-like amber, potent and earthy patchouli, passionate musk and lush, noble vanilla form the base notes that complete this memorable fragrance.
Ruby Grapefruit Sage
Opening with top notes brimming with facets of succulent, honey-like mandarin, sour sweet lemon, and tart, inspiring grapefruit, these facets soon surrender to a heart note bouquet of sugary, floral and calming lavender, pungent and bright rosemary, sensual and nutty sage and woody, dusty violet.
A base note tinged with woody, warm and rich amber completes this fragrance.
No Particular Category
Citrus Vanilla
The top notes of this invigorating and sophisticated fragrance burst with bitter, clean and refreshing bergamot, sour-sweet lemon, lush, juicy orange, honeyed tangerine; tangy grapefruit and light, bitter neroli.
These facets soon fuse into middle notes of juicy, zesty tangelo, dewy melon and sugary green apple.
The scent finishes with a comforting base note of warm, elegant vanilla tinged with earthy and animalistic musk.
In conclusion
Citrus fragrances not only spice up scented products, they also ‘spice up’ human endeavor as well.
Try some citrus based fragrances formulated by the perfume masters at Alpha Aromatics for your line of particular products.
Give our teams a call today!
Photo Credits: Pixabay
