Pomelo smells like sunshine captured in a bottle—brighter and more expansive than a regular grapefruit, with a thick, juicy sweetness that feels almost creamy. Imagine peeling a freshly harvested pomelo: that initial burst of zesty, slightly bitter citrus oil, followed by a honeyed, almost floral undertone. It's less sharp than lemon, less tart than lime, occupying that lush middle ground where citrus becomes almost gourmand. The aroma is clean yet voluptuous, with a subtle peppery warmth lingering beneath.
Pomelo originates from Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and China, where it grows as one of the largest citrus fruits. The fragrance note is typically created through cold-pressing the peel or through isolation of key aromatic compounds like limonene and citral. Modern perfumery also employs synthetic reconstruction, capturing pomelo's distinctive slightly floral character (absent in common grapefruits) through molecular synthesis. This allows consistency and sustainability whilst preserving that characteristically sweet, honeyed quality that makes pomelo distinct from its citrus cousins.
Pomelo functions as a luminous, uplifting top note that immediately commands attention. Perfumers favour it for its ability to convey freshness with underlying sweetness, avoiding the one-dimensional sharpness of harsher citrus. It bridges fresh and gourmand territories, offering sophistication whilst remaining immediately approachable and joyful.
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