Blood orange

What Does It Smell Like?

Blood orange smells like a more dramatic, sensual cousin of regular orange. Imagine biting into a juicy orange, but with deeper, almost berry-like undertones—there's a subtle tartness mixed with honeyed sweetness. It carries a faint floral whisper, almost like crushed rose petals dusted with citrus zest. The colour suggests darkness and richness; the scent delivers exactly that. It's less cheerful than bright citrus, more mysterious and bittersweet—like candied citrus peel kissed with dark chocolate.

Origin & History

Blood oranges are a natural mutation of sweet oranges, originally cultivated in Sicily and Spain around the 17th century. The deep red flesh develops from anthocyanin pigments (the same compounds that colour berries and wine). Perfumers use both natural extraction—cold-pressing the peel for essential oil—and synthetic molecules like synthetic blood orange accord, which captures the bittersweet complexity more precisely. The synthetic version allows perfumers to isolate and intensify those deeper, more floral characteristics that make blood orange distinctive.

In Perfumery

Blood orange typically opens fragrances with sophisticated warmth. Unlike fizzy top-note citruses, it lingers thoughtfully, bridging the gap between fresh and gourmand. Perfumers favour it in niche fragrances where they want citrus that feels luxurious rather than simply bright. It pairs beautifully with florals, amber, and spice—lending depth without overwhelming.

Pairs Beautifully With

Featured In 38 Fragrances