Mellarosa essential oil is a botanical enigma, rare, unclassifiable, and quietly intoxicating, this oil resists easy definition, both in lineage and in scent. Despite centuries of observation, its origins remain a mystery, and its aromatic profile defies citrus conventions.
 
The name “Mellarosa” likely stems from mel (honey) and rosa (rose), a nod to the delicate, sweetly floral impression it imparts. But don’t be misled, this isn’t a rose oil. Rather, Mellarosa seduces with a whisper of bergamot, softened by honeyed warmth and undercut with a subtle lime brightness. It’s a fragrance caught between memory and myth.
The famed naturalist Georges Cuvier once remarked on the rose-like scent of the tree’s bark and leaves. Yet even Risso, after whom the fruit is named, questioned its placement, floating between bitter orange, lemon, lime, and bergamot, yet not quite belonging to any.
What emerges instead is something wholly unique: a soft, romantic citrus with floral inflection, airy and refined. The essential oil feels ancient, noble, and otherworldly, a scent from a citrus that perhaps shouldn’t exist, but does.
FRUIT
 
To enjoy the uniqueness of the mellarose fruit, try making your own mellarose orange wine. Start by soaking the mellarose zest in a bottle of easy-to-find wines like sparkling rosé from northern Portugal or Italy's refreshing rosé. Let the mixture infuse in the cold for a day, allowing the flavors to blend together.
 
The coolness and fragrant essence of the mellarose will transport you to this charming citrus paradise, enveloping your senses with a symphony of delightful flavors and scents.
 
Available from December to January.