What is Eau de Cologne?
Eau de Cologne (French for "water of Cologne",
Kölnisch Wasser in German) is a type of light perfume that originated in
Cologne, Germany and is defined by its typical concentration of about 2-3%
essential oils.
Composition
In a base of dilute ethanol (80-90%), Eau de Cologne contains a mixture of
citrus oils including oils of lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, lime,
grapefruit and neroli. It can also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme,
petitgrain (orange leaf), and jasmine.
History
Eau de Cologne is a spirit-citrus perfume launched in Cologne in 1709 by
Giovanni Maria Farina 1685-1766, a italian perfumer from Santa Maria Maggiore
Valle Vigezzo, Italy.
The Original Eau de Cologne was used only as a perfume, and Napoleon was a
particular enthusiast of the Farina Eau de Cologne.
Johann Maria Farina's formula has been produced in Cologne since 1709 by Farina
gegenüber and to this day has remained a secret. His shop at Obenmarspforten
opened in 1709 and is today the world's oldest fragrance company. Other Colognes
have only the name in common and smell totally different. The cologne 4711,
named after this location came nearly 100 years later in 1804. In 1806,
Jean-Marie Farina a grandgrandnephew of Giovanni Maria Farina 1685-1766 opened
the Paris perfumery business that developed into Roger & Gallet, who own the
rights to Eau de Cologne extra vielle in contrast to the Original Eau de Cologne
from Cologne.
Eau de Cologne, or just "cologne", has now become a generic term.
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