Yuzu.

On the winter solstice in Japan, there is a tradition of a hot bath with whole or sliced yuzu fruits floating in the water, said to bring a feeling of well-being and abundance. This oil carries that bright, fragrant fruit into the rest of the year.

It is Citrus junos, steam-distilled from organically produced fruit peel in Morocco: a pure yuzu rather than the blends often sold under its name, and one we searched for years to find. It is the most floral of our citrus oils, unfolding from tart grapefruit to sweet mandarin and drying down floral, sweet and almost balsamic. Perfumers choose yuzu for a more extravagant citrus top note, and it lasts much longer than other citrus oils, so a little extends their throw in a blend. It is not phototoxic, so it may be added to skin care.

Details

• Botanical name: Citrus junos
• Origin: Morocco
• Method: steam distillation of the fruit peel
• Organically produced; non-phototoxic
• Shelf life: about 1 to 2 years
• Blends with rosemary, cedarwood, lavender, sandalwood, clary sage, frankincense and other citrus oils

How to use

Add it to perfumes and diffuser blends as a bright top note, or dilute it into skin care. Never take it internally. Keep it in a dry, dark place, and refrigerate it for a longer shelf life.

A bright, floral citrus for the winter bath and every season after it.