Orange blossom water
Orange blossom water, what is it?
It is a floral water, also called hydrosol, obtained during the distillation of bitter orange blossom (citrus aurantium).
In fact, during distillation in a still, traditionally made of copper, now more often made of stainless steel, a very small quantity of neroli essential oil is obtained (1 ton of flowers gives 1 liter of neroli) which floats on the surface of the distillation liquid obtained which is water (1 liter per kilogram of distilled flowers). This is what we call orange blossom water.
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What is the origin of orange blossom water?
The bitter orange tree is native to Southeast Asia and gradually arrived on the shores of the Mediterranean at the time of the Crusades. The first perfumes made with orange blossom were found as early as the 14th century.
How is orange blossom water made? Where do orange blossoms come from.
Orange trees grow in many places on the planet: either in the Maghreb or in California. And historically, and this is what touches us most closely, in the Alpes Maritimes near Grasse, and more precisely in Vallauris and Bar sur Loup where our gîtes locations-06 are located and where Guilhem CODERA of Terroir-06 produces his orange blossom water. We ourselves have been growing bitter orange trees for several generations and picking orange blossom. In the Alpes-Maritimes, we get the best quality flowers because unlike what is done in many places in the world, we do not hit the trees or shake them to make the flower fall during harvesting.
In Pays de Grasse, we pick the flowers by hand, one after the other and let them fall to the ground in a burlap sheet and it is this traditional way that makes our flowers of incomparable quality. But like any exceptional product, it remains expensive. This is why large manufacturers have been sourcing from abroad for a long time.
But for a few years now, and especially since the UNESCO World Heritage listing, major brands and manufacturers are investing again in our perfume flowers. Orange blossom is used in the composition of legendary perfume compositions, including “N°5” by Chanel, “Gabrielle”, “Fleur d’Oranger” by Molinard, “Escale à Portofino” by Dior, “Néroli Facétie” by Roger Gallet, “La Fille de l’Air” by Courrèges, “Ysatis” by Givenchy, “Aura” by Thierry Mugler, “Aqua Allegoria Passiflora” by Guerlain, “Fleurs d’oranger” by Serge Lutens, “Flowerbomb” by Viktor & Rolf, “La vie est belle” by Lancôme, “Classique” by Jean-Paul Gaultier, etc., etc.
Guilhem CODERA of Terroir-06 is the grandson of farmers. He makes an exceptional orange blossom water that is recognized as one of the best and is notably marketed by Maison Venturini in Grasse and at the International Perfume Museum.
Terroir-06 orange blossom water is very fragrant because its concentration is maximum. Indeed, in many places, including in the Alpes-Maritimes, the flower water is distilled at 1/3 or even 1/4 while Guilhem CODERA does 1/1. That is to say that if he puts a kilogram of orange blossom in his still, he will get only one liter of orange blossom water and no more. Which gives a high concentration to his orange blossom water.
Terroir-06’s orange blossom water is exquisite because it is distilled from orange blossom from Bar sur Loup on land labeled organic by Ecocert. Finally, Terroir-06’s orange blossom water is of high quality because Guilhem CODERA has developed a refining process that allows the most gourmet aromatic notes to shine through and the most aggressive ones to disappear. You can reserve and buy your orange blossom water on the Terroir-06 website.
What are the uses, what can you do with orange blossom water?
If orange blossom and its essential oil – neroli – are very popular in perfumery, hydrosol – orange blossom water – has many uses.
Body and cosmetic uses of orange blossom water.
Orange blossom water is regenerating. Applied to the face, it restores light and radiance to the complexion. It is also a gentle tonic that soothes and refreshes the skin. This water is calming and promotes sleep. It is comforting, reassuring and reduces emotional dependencies, positive and restores confidence. It relaxes, soothes and is even said to be an aphrodisiac.
Practical use of orange blossom water
Difficulty falling asleep or deep sadness: in herbal tea, a teaspoon of orange blossom water in a cup of hot water.
Anger and frustration: a tablespoon in a liter of water to drink throughout the day.
Seeking appeasement: a teaspoon in a glass of water.
Relaxation and refreshing of the skin of the face: direct application on the skin.
Finally, this water can also be used as a room mist using a vaporizer.
Uses of orange blossom water in cooking
Personally, I use orange blossom water to make cakes, fougassettes (a specialty of Grasse), ice creams (contact me for the recipe), cannelés which are no longer from Bordeaux but from Grasse, jams and jellies, in mint tea.
This orange blossom water is also widely used to make oriental desserts. It can also be used to flavor creams. It is also used to make tarte tropézienne, navettes provençales, madeleines, crepes, brioches, whipped cream, eggnog, strawberry and orange soup, clafoutis , etc.
In summary, it is a very delicate and extraordinary orange blossom water.
A good place to buy quality orange blossom water, produced at Bar sur Loup in Pays de Grasse
Yes, there is orange blossom water and orange blossom water.
In supermarkets, you will find water vaguely flavored with orange blossom. In some stores, you will find orange blossom water with a ratio of 1 to 3 or 4. That is to say that for one kilogram of orange blossom, 3 or 4 liters of water will have been passed through.
But at Terroir-06, which is run by our son Guilhem CODERA, orange blossom water is made the old-fashioned way. That is to say, it respects the ratio of 1 to 1. One kilogram of orange blossom = 1 liter of orange blossom water. In addition, after distillation, orange blossom water is left to rest for two months before sale so that its aromas can fully express themselves.
