Ingredient Guide
Petitgrain is the essential oil obtained from bigarade (bitter orange) by distilling its wood, leaves, young shoots, and twigs. Its name means “small fruit”: it was originally obtained from small, unripe fruits that had fallen from the tree.
Extracts from the branches and leaves of other citrus trees are sometimes also called petitgrain, so the bitter-orange material is sometimes specifically called petitgrain bigarade. The essential oil obtained from bitter orange has the highest market value, but petitgrain can also be obtained from lemon, mandarin, bergamot, and other citrus trees.
Its scent is fresh, fruity, and sweet, but also woody, green, and slightly bitter. Compared with neroli or bitter orange, it has a more masculine character. French petitgrain is said to be the finest.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Petitgrain bigarade is a natural fragrance material obtained by steam-distilling the leaves, branches, unripe fruit, and other parts of the bitter orange tree. Bitter orange blossom, lush green leaves, fresh citrus, and zest overlap to give a bittersweet edge to its freshness. Although it comes from the same Citrus aurantium plant, it differs in both the part used and its scent from neroli, distilled from the flowers, and bitter orange oil, expressed from the peel.
Choosing a fragrance with petitgrain
Petitgrain suits a preference for green, slightly bitter leaves and twigs rather than sweet citrus juice. That character also works with tea, moss and woods.
- The green side of citrus: For those drawn to the bitterness of peel and leaves rather than juicy sweetness.
- Alongside tea leaves: Maté or a tea accord lets you explore its leafy greenness.
- A forest-like calm: Oakmoss or cedar adds earthy, woody depth to the green notes.
Two fragrances featuring petitgrain
Chaco Eau de Parfum (Nissaba)
Petitgrain and Paraguayan maté meet citrus, a tea accord and woods including guaiac. Green tea-leaf character accompanies cologne-like freshness.
Moss Expressive (Commodity)
Bergamot leads to petitgrain and oakmoss, cedar and orange blossom. Compared with Chaco’s tea leaves, this offers the green calm of moss and woods.
Find your next fragrance
In Fragrance Finder, choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, then look for notes you enjoy under “Favorite notes”. Select from the available suggestions and press “Next”.
