Marmalade

Notes: Citrus, jam
Key Ingredients: Bitter Orange, Neroli, Myrrh.
Historical inspiration: 4711 by Mäurer & Wirtz (c.1799)

Today, “cologne” is often used to mean “men’s fragrance,” but originally, eau de Cologne simply meant “water from Cologne.” In 18th-century France, it was considered a remedy for both internal and external use, typically crafted from citrus and herbs.

4711 is a classic example of this traditional style—fresh, fleeting, and invigorating, a quick burst of citrus to “freshen up.” Marmalade follows this tradition in its opening, with bright notes of bitter orange, lemon, neroli, and petitgrain bigarade. But instead of fading quickly, it deepens into a rich, marmalade-like accord, anchored by myrrh to add longevity and complexity.

Three classic ingredients of the bitter orange tree are used in Marmalade. But this tree is not only treasured for its fragrance--it also played a vital role in saving the world’s orange groves. In the 1930s, the citrus tristeza virus threatened to wipe out orange trees globally. The solution? Grafting the hardy rootstock of the bitter orange, a practice that continues today. By the time the crisis was finally controlled, the number of dead trees had reached the millions.

Three classic ingredients from the bitter orange tree are used in Marmalade. But this tree is not only valued for its fragrance—it also saved the world’s orange groves. In the 1930s, the citrus tristeza virus threatened to wipe out orange trees globally. The solution? Growers discovered grafting the hardy rootstock of the bitter orange kept them alive. This technique not only controlled the crisis (by this time, the number of dead trees reached the millions) but it became standard practice. Today, nearly all orange trees posses bitter orange rootstock for survival.

Fittingly, nearly every ingredient in Marmalade comes from a tree, grounding it in both history and nature.