MANDARIN LEAVES

Mandarin leaves bring attention to the leafy side of the citrus tree. The note can suggest fresh greenery and zest with a floral accent, rather than simply the juicy sweetness of the fruit. Depending on the material, it may also reveal sweeter, spicy or woody nuances. This makes it useful to look beyond the word “fresh”: a leaf-inspired fragrance can have more body and aromatic complexity than that word alone suggests.

A natural material connected with this note is mandarin petitgrain. Producer OleOliO distils fresh Citrus reticulata leaves and twigs, describing its oil as sweet, spicy and woody; PCW describes a green, citrus-floral profile for its material. These examples show variation within the category. Leaf oil is distinct from cold-pressed peel oil, and a note listing does not guarantee that either particular extract is present.