Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Picture yourself wandering around endless rows of large orchard trees defining the vibrant citrus groves. A range of itinerant workers make up the majority of the citrus pickers, largely dominated by backpackers from around the world. Orange oil is typically produced almost year round, using the Valencia variety in Summer and the Navel variety in Winter. Some producers grow all their own fruit while others receive fruit from local growers. Other producers use a combination of their own fruit and fruit supplied by the local community or farmers.

Sweet Orange essential oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit and is usually a by-product of commercially produced orange juice. Producers who receive fruit from local growers will use the fruit for both oil extraction and juicing. The essential oil is extracted from the orange peel using water to create an emulsion, which is then centrifuged to separate the oil and water.

In order to prevent fruit wastage, we use fruit which does not meet the standards for fresh fruit – for example, the fruit that is marked, too big or small but otherwise perfect inside. This fruit used is a by-product of the fresh fruit market, and as such we are converting what is considered a “waste stream” into saleable products for consumption. Usually, essential oil production is a by-product of juice production. As the fruit is cut for juicing, the peels are simultaneously pricked so that the oil comes out of the skin. Rather than just throwing all the peels away after juicing, the peels have the oil extracted and therefore contribute to a more sustainable outcome.

Sweet Orange essential oil is known for both its uplifting and calming properties. With a zesty and refreshing scent, this essential oil can boost your mood and encourage relaxation. It's also perfect to use to freshen up a room.