Neroli, also known as bitter orange blossom, is a small tree native to Southern Europe and North Africa, particularly Tunisia and Morocco. The essential oil is extracted from the delicate white flowers of the tree through steam distillation, yielding a sweet, floral, and slightly citrusy scent that is prized in high-end perfumery. Harvested by hand in the early morning, the process is labour-intensive but results in a highly aromatic oil. The name 'neroli' is believed to come from Caterina de Braccio, an Italian princess in the 17th century, who popularised the use of neroli as a perfume, adding to its allure and status. Neroli oil's high cost is due to the relatively small oil yield, requiring around 1,000–1,500 flowers to produce just one millilitre of neroli essential oil, and this oil is particularly special being certified organic.
