Agrumes v. (Martin de Candre) lemon, grapefruit, bergamot
Agrumes is French for citrus. The word is borrowed from Italian agrume, which itself comes from Late Latin acrumen meaning 'something sour or sharp tasting'. Our favorite sour fruits – lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, and sour oranges – didn't make it to Europe until Arab traders introduced them in the tenth century. For centuries after they were regarded as a symbol of wealth and elegance. In northern Europe, only the rich could afford orangeries, special greenhouses for keeping citrus trees over winter. This is why the earliest colognes featured citrus notes so prominently. It was the smell of prosperity and opulence. Pity that now it has also become the smell of such mundane products as dishwashing soap and furniture polish.
Agrumes is French for citrus. The word is borrowed from Italian agrume, which itself comes from Late Latin acrumen meaning 'something sour or sharp tasting'. Our favorite sour fruits – lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, and sour oranges – didn't make it to Europe until Arab traders introduced them in the tenth century. For centuries after they were regarded as a symbol of wealth and elegance. In northern Europe, only the rich could afford orangeries, special greenhouses for keeping citrus trees over winter. This is why the earliest colognes featured citrus notes so prominently. It was the smell of prosperity and opulence. Pity that now it has also become the smell of such mundane products as dishwashing soap and furniture polish.