Bitter orange, also known as bigarade orange, is the only tree to have leaves, fruit, and flowers at the same time. In Morocco, the flowers are hand-picked when they first blossom at the end of April or the start of May. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties but numerous cultures use the water extracted from its flowers, called neroli floral water. It is collected when the essential oil is gently extracted by steam distillation.

This highly-perfumed floral water is renowned for promoting sleep (in Europe, a few drops are often put in hot milk in the evening), adding flavor when cooking (you can spot its smell in numerous patisseries) or even preparing the famous Lebanese white coffee (it is diluted in sweetened hot water to make the most of its digestive properties).

It is used in cosmetics due to its numerous qualities. It is soothing, lightening due to a bioflavonoid it contains, antimicrobial, and even capable of boosting cellular cohesion.

Its name is a testimony to where it grows best. In Latin “rosa centifolia”, it reflects the impression it gives of having one hundred petals (or one hundred leaves). Also known as rose de mai or Provence rose, its bright pink color is gradated and it exudes a light, delicate scent.

It is gentle on the skin allowing it to be used in cosmetics. In both the East and West, it is often used to remove make-up. In Morocco, it is used to dilute rhassoul – a type of clay – to make skin and hair masks.

The ingredients it provides (essential oil, extract, floral water) remain expensive because it only flowers once a year.