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Mandarin Orange Blossom

Q: Is Mandarin Orange Blossom natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Not commonly extracted commercially. Mandarin trees are grown for fruit production. The note is reconstructed from neroli (from Citrus aurantium), methyl anthranilate, and sweet-floral materials. Some artisanal mandarin blossom hydrosols exist in Mediterranean citrus-growing regions..

FLOWERS / floral · citrus · fresh

Category	FLOWERS
Subcategory	floral · citrus · fresh
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Citrus reticulata
Appearance	Pale yellow to golden liquid with sweet floral-citrus odor
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	Italy, Spain
Pyramid	Heart

Sweet-floral, honeyed, with a mandarin-peel brightness. The blossoms of Citrus reticulata — similar to neroli but sweeter, less bitter, and more approachable.

Scent
Terroir & Origins
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Sweet-floral, honeyed, with a mandarin-peel brightness and a grape-like methyl anthranilate sweetness. Less bitter than neroli, less formal, more approachable. The methyl anthranilate gives it a particular rounded sweetness absent from bitter-orange blossom. Warmer and more enveloping than other citrus blossoms.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Sweet citrus-floral burst, honeyed and bright

After a few hours

Soft, rounded floral warmth, grape-sweet undertone

After a few days

Faint sweet-floral residue

Terroir & Origins

Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.

The Full Story

Mandarin orange blossom (Citrus reticulata flowers) shares the general citrus-blossom character of neroli but with notable differences. Mandarin blossom is sweeter, less bitter, and more honeyed than bitter-orange (C. aurantium) blossom, from which neroli is traditionally distilled.

The volatile profile includes linalool, methyl anthranilate (the molecule responsible for mandarin's particular grape-like sweetness), limonene, and various oxygenated monoterpenes. The methyl anthranilate content is the key differentiator — it gives mandarin blossom a sweeter, more rounded character than neroli.

Mandarin blossom is rarely extracted commercially because mandarin trees are cultivated for fruit, not flowers. The note is reconstructed using neroli, methyl anthranilate, and sweet-floral materials.

This note in Première Peau. Nuit Elastique · Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Did You Know?

Did you know?

Methyl anthranilate, the molecule that gives mandarin blossom its grape-like sweetness, is also the primary flavoring agent in grape-flavored candies and sodas. It is additionally used as a bird repellent — most birds find it unpleasant, while humans perceive it as sweet.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Not commonly extracted commercially. Mandarin trees are grown for fruit production. The note is reconstructed from neroli (from Citrus aurantium), methyl anthranilate, and sweet-floral materials. Some artisanal mandarin blossom hydrosols exist in Mediterranean citrus-growing regions.

↑ See Terroir & Origins for origin-specific methods.

Molecular Formula	Complex mixture; major components: linalool (C₁₀H₁₈O), methyl anthranilate (C₈H₉NO₂)
CAS Number	8014-17-3 (Citrus reticulata flower oil)
Botanical Name	Citrus reticulata
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Mandarin Blossom, Citrus Blossom
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Appearance	Pale yellow to golden liquid with sweet floral-citrus odor
Flash Point	138.00 °F. TCC ( 58.89 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.86500 to 0.89000 @ 25.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Mandarin orange blossom is a top-to-heart note providing sweet citrus-floral character. Reconstructed from neroli, methyl anthranilate, linalool, and sweet-floral elements. Sweeter and less bitter than neroli, more approachable. Used in sweet-floral, citrus-gourmand, and romantic compositions. The methyl anthranilate content makes it bridge citrus-floral and fruity-sweet families.