APOM Eau de parfum

There are several ways to process the Citrus Aurantium flower. By volatile solvent extraction to obtain the orange blossom absolute, or by steam distillation for the orange blossom oil. But beware, connoisseurs know it well: we don't speak of orange blossom oil but of neroli oil, since the Princess of Nerola, enraptured by its fragrance, brought it into fashion at the time of French king Louis XIV. The absolute is used for middle and base notes, with solar floral overtones, in turn fresh or heady, honeyed and animalic. Neroli oil has much more citrusy and green floral inflections, used in the top and heart notes of a fragrance. It is often associated with the smell of sun-dried sheets and flavored madeleines.

Endemic to the Mediterranean basin, it was already highly prized in Roman times to perfume linen, freshen the breath or for its antiseptic properties. Its name comes from lavare, "to wash". For a long time, the south of France was the first producer of Lavandula angustifolia, but today its culture is worldwide. Although it can also be distilled, Francis Kurkdjian prefers to work with lavender absolute obtained by extraction with volatile solvents. Less rising than the oil, its aromatic herbaceous notes, reminiscent of shaving foam as well as sun-warmed hay, are used in the heart and base of a perfume.