Bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium var. amara)

Other names: Orange, wild orange, bitter orange, bigaradia, bitter lemon, bitter orange, bitter orange peel, kijitsu, zhi shi, naranja, Orange Amére, neroli oil, laranja-amarga

Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)

The bitter orange tree is a special type of evergreen tree in the citrus family. It has many different names, such as wild orange, bigaradie, kijitsu or laranja-amarga. This tree is known for its delicious, intensely scented flowers and fruit. Its citrus fruits are a bit of a paradox, being visually beautiful with their orange colour, but their taste is very bitter and unpleasant, unlike that of ordinary oranges. Despite their bitterness, these fruits are very important for the industry, especially for the cosmetics and food industries.

Neroli oil, which is produced from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is particularly popular in the cosmetics industry. This oil has a characteristic scent and soothing effects, which is why it is often included in various fragrances, perfumes, but also in lotions and tonics. Bitter oranges are also used in the pharmaceutical industry. The dried fruit is used to make various medicines that help with digestive problems or to help people sleep, for example. Bitter orange fruits are also used to make marmalades, confitures and liqueurs, which are particularly appreciated by the Mediterranean population. A lesser-known use is in tooth whitening preparations, where the fruit helps to remove pigments from the surface of tooth enamel.