Curacao Peel Oil

#### Curacao Peel Oil. The essential oil which is generally offered under the above name is the hand-pressed oil from the peel of green (immature) bitter oranges. The green peels are also dried and sold to botanical and pharmaceutical houses under the name of **Jacmel or Jacmal **orange peels (quartered or halved). These peels are produced in the West Indies, particularly in Jamaica where also the ordinary bitter orange oil is produced (see **Orange Oil, Bitter**). The true **Curacao **peel is derived from a variety of the bitter orange tree, the so-called "varietas curassaviensis". This tree is cultivated in the tiny island of Curacao, off the north coast of South America. The island is part of the Dutch West Indies. The true Curacao peel is slightly smaller than the jacmal peel and the Curacao peel is much stronger in aroma. It is doubtful, however, if any essential oil at all is produced from the true Curacao peel. The larger part of the production of Curacao and Jacmal peels are shipped to Europe and the U.S.A. for preparation of tinctures and flavor extracts. These are used in flavor compositions for liqueurs of the "Curacao" type, "Triple Sec", "Grand Marnier", etc. True **Curacao Peel Oil **is an olive-green, mobile liquid of powerful, fresh and rich, grapelike citrus-peel odor reminiscent of expressed lime oil, petitgrain oil and bitter orange oil, however, the odor of the curacao oil is slightly sweeter, almost perfumery. The essential oil of the peel is justly replaced by an alcoholic tincture which is more stable and which contains less terpenes. The purchase of true Curacao peel requires great experience. The author was unable to confirm any local production of **Curacao Peel Oil **in 1959 in the Dutch West Indies, and it is conceivable that the oil is not produced on a commercial scale, if the true oil is produced at all anymore.