Orange trees are known not only for their delicious and juicy fruits, but also for their delicate beautiful flowers. They create beautiful wedding bouquets, emit essential oil, water and other raw materials for perfumes. Orange flowers are an example of purity and beauty, decoration in the house, a medicine and even food.
Botanical Description
The tree of bitter orange orange (bigaradia, lat. Citrus aurantium) is an evergreen plant belonging to the genus of the Citrus family Rutaceae (lat. Rutaceae). It comes from the Eastern Himalayas, however its classic wild species are unknown. According to scientists, bitter orange was cultivated in China 4 thousand years ago.
In 10 tbsp. the trees were brought by Arab and Portuguese sailors to the Middle East, from where they spread throughout the Mediterranean. They are also cultivated in Central America.
Bitter orange is a tree that reaches a height of 10 m, decorated with elongated green leaves and white fragrant flowers, which are located singly or in bunches of 5-10 pieces. As you can see in the photo, the orange flower is snow-white, consisting of a five-part, slightly expanding perianth and thick lobules, inside of which there are many stamens.
Fruits have a rounded shape with a thick, rough skin; upon ripening, they turn orange-red. The pulp of the fruit is bitter-sour and is not used in food in its pure form, but it has been successfully used for the preparation of seasonings, liquors and marmalade. Its delicious variety (sweet orange) was bred only in the 16th century.
The French name for the orange flower is orange blossom (Fleur d'orange). It gives the plant charm and glamor. The flowers have a characteristic sweetish aroma. Some experts compare the fragrance of such flowers with jasmine, but enhanced with honey and more tart shades. Others associate the scent of orange flowers with notes of rubber and indole.
Essential oil
Orange blossom flower processing gained popularity back in the Renaissance. Even then, a steam distillation method was invented, with the help of which they learned how to obtain essential oil from orange flowers. It is called "neroli" and is a colorless liquid that emits a light floral aroma with hints of bitterness.
Neroli oil has a complex composition, the main components of which are inyl acetate, linalool, geranyl acetate, nerolidol, farnesol, terpineol, nerol, pinene and sabinen. When processing flowers, the final yield is up to 0.12% of their mass.
Orange blossom oil firms are located in the southern regions of Italy, France, Spain (Europe) and African countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco). One of the most popular and best varieties is obtained in the city of Nabeul (Tunisia). Each year, the amount of neroli oil produced is calculated in tons, but its volume is highly dependent on the time of arrival of the frost.
The aroma of neroli is very different from the smell of orange flowers. To bring it closer to the original, some manufacturers use ether extraction methods. With this treatment, a concrete is obtained which, after repeated extraction with ethanol, is converted to absolute. The output (0.1% by weight) is a dark red liquid with a strong, rich aroma of orange flowers.
Neroli: benefits and emotional effect
Essential oil obtained from orange blossoms has been successfully used in medicine for several centuries. Previously, only very wealthy people could use it, but the modern perfume industry often uses artificial odor enhancers. Therefore, when the name “orange blossom” is indicated on the label, this can mean not only natural oil, but also other substances and products that are obtained after processing orange flowers, as well as their substitutes.
Neroli oil helps eliminate insomnia, depression, relieve feelings of fear and anxiety. Orange blossom refers to good antidepressants that give women joy and peace. Oil is a sedative that helps reduce feelings of panic, longing or fear, stabilizes the mental state and harmonizes the general condition, is considered a strong aphrodisiac (euphoric and hypnotic effect).
Neroli has a general strengthening effect on the immune system and has an antiviral effect. In Italian history, it is known that the citizens of Venice used orange oil to treat not only depressive conditions, but even a terrible infectious disease - the black plague.
The use of essential oil and its combination with others
In the cosmetics industry, neroli are used for therapeutic massage and skin treatment: it helps to reduce stretch marks, smooth wrinkles, remove acne and promotes rejuvenation.
Recipes and recommendations for the use of essential oils of orange flowers:
- 5-7 drops per 10 g of base oil are used for massage - it has a relaxing effect;
- use in the aroma lamp (4 drops per 15 m2 of the room area) - helps to create a soothing atmosphere in the house;
- relaxing bath - 3-7 drops;
- for aromatic medallion you need 2-3 drops.
Neroli goes well with other essential oils: bergamot, peppermint, frankincense, sandalwood, marjoram, jasmine, mandarin, sage, ginger, eucalyptus, lavender, verbena, myrrh and others.
Getting orange water and its use
Another way to obtain products from orange blossom is to extract with supercritical gas CO 2 (carbonic). After distillation, hydrolate is obtained - the water of orange flowers. It includes aromatic substances obtained by extraction using petroleum ether. The final product is an absolute in the form of a brown liquid, containing 16% methylanthranilate and having an intense orange aroma.
Orange water (Orange flower water) was widely used in cooking in Arabic and French cuisines for the preparation of drinks and dishes. It is included in the ingredients of delicious lemonades, tea, and is added to pastries and meat dishes.
Hydrolate and flower extract
The orange flower hydrolyte currently sold has a natural composition and can be used in cooking and cosmetology. Its main useful property used in cosmetics is the ability to regenerate skin cells, providing a restoring, refreshing and tonic effect. When applied to the surface of the skin, it gently brightens, and the gloss increases. Hydrolate helps collagen formation, which helps smooth wrinkles and increase the elasticity and firmness of the epidermis.
For medicinal purposes, an orange blossom extract is also used, which has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. It is used to facilitate well-being in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, strengthen immunity. The extract has a positive effect on the normalization of hormonal disorders, and has a calming effect. It is added to cosmetics (cream, serum with a lifting effect, etc.) used for all skin types in order to normalize the production of sebum. The extract is used in the fight against cellulite, because beneficial effect on the epidermis and helps the regeneration of wilted, aging and sagging skin.
Application in the perfume industry
Neroli oil is widely used in the manufacture of luxury perfumes. A pleasant aroma with a fruity accent perfectly emphasizes the compositions used to make perfumes.
Orange blossom (orange blossom) is present in the following women's and men's perfumes:
- Givenchy Amarige (1991) - symbolizes beauty, femininity and nobility, it has a rich loop aroma of a floral composition (mimosa, orange blossom, black currant, rosewood, tuberose, vanilla, sandalwood and other notes).
- Lancome Poeme (1995) - combines several contrasting feminine flavors: frosty freshness (represented by blue poppy from the Himalayas) and the warmth of sand dunes, consists of the smells of orange, bell and mimosa on a vanilla “base”.
- Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (2011) - refers to oriental fragrances, the main notes of the heart: neroli, orchid, jasmine, freesia and rose, suitable for young and middle-aged women.
- Christian Dior Pure Poison (2004) - the creators of this perfume (famous designers K. Bineim, D. Ropillon and O. Polge) received a surprisingly clean and noble smell with hints of orange, jasmine, amber, gardenia and sandalwood, the aroma has a tantalizing and passionate appeal suitable for a date.
- Prada Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger (2008) has a fragrance associated with a beach walk on a summer day, transferring its owner to forgotten bright moments of childhood; the composition is composed of orange blossom, neroli oil, jasmine, mandarin and tuberose.
- The One For Men Platinum (2013) brand Dolce & Gabbana - men's perfume, has a solemn, love spell and sultry aroma (orange flowers, cardamom, ginger, basil, etc.).
Nutrition Facts of Orange Petals
In the last decade, the use of orange tree flowers in cooking as a food product has become increasingly popular. The taste of orange blossom is delicate, slightly tart, and is associated with the use of the crust of this fruit. Only freshly cut flowers can be eaten (no more than a day after cutting), without signs of pests or plant diseases. This makes it difficult to use them in the climatic conditions of Russia, however, many amateur flower growers grow orange trees at home.
The calorific value of such a product is 0 kcal / 100 g, so it is recommended that the flowers be included in the menu for dietary nutrition. They will help to diversify the diet, and also contain many useful substances:
- essential oils that have a positive effect on the metabolism and digestion process, help to eliminate toxins, improve the condition of hair and nails, support the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
- Vitamin C - is contained in a smaller amount compared to fruits, but its use affects the regenerative process of cells and tissues, helps to improve teeth, gums and improves bone strength, promotes the absorption of iron, improves immunity;
- rutin, or vitamin P, refers to flavonoids - substances that are good for the heart;
- volatile - have an active antibacterial effect, killing fungi, viruses and microbes;
- tannins - positively affect the work of the gastrointestinal system, give an astringent taste.
Orange flowers are contraindicated for use as a food product for children, pregnant women because of the possible manifestation of allergic reactions. They are also prohibited for patients with stomach ulcers or gastritis.
Orange flowers are most often used in the preparation of drinks and desserts. They can be eaten after coating with sugar icing or soaked in syrup and jam. Especially popular in China is orange tea, which is prepared from fresh or dried flowers, brewing along with green varieties. The recipe for the drink is quite simple: 1 tsp. large-leaf green tea and 1 tbsp. l pour orange petals with hot water (do not bring to a boil), leave for 5-7 minutes. The drink is consumed without sugar or with the addition of flower honey.
Bridal bouquet
As early as the beginning of the 18th century, in many European and Mediterranean countries, orange tree flowers began to be used to create bouquets that the bride holds while completing the wedding ceremony. A wreath of orange flowers has long been considered a symbol of the innocence of a girl and a guarantee of eternal youth. In Italy, it is believed that a bouquet of orange flowers is a symbol of a large and united family in the future. In English, such a flower sounds like an orange blossom, however, the French name is fixed, thanks to its charm and glamor.
This tradition was fixed in the wedding ritual and remains popular in the 21st century, so the sale of wreaths for a wedding ceremony is popular among young people. For the complete set, the bride can also use perfumes with an orange aroma, for example, Wedding Bouquet ("Bridal Bouquet") from the English perfume house "Floris", which were specially released for the wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
