Eau de Cologne (French for "water of Cologne", Kölnisch Wasser in German) is a type of light perfume that originated in Cologne, Germany and is defined by its typical concentration of about 2-5% essential oils.


Original Eau de Cologne

Composition

In a base of dilute ethanol (70-90%), Eau de Cologne contains a mixture of citrus oils including oils of lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit and neroli. It can also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, petitgrain (orange leaf), and jasmine.



Bottle of Original Eau de Cologne

History

Eau de Cologne is a spirit-citrus perfume launched in Cologne in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina (1685-1766), an Italian perfumer from Santa Maria Maggiore Valle Vigezzo, Italy. When Farina composed the perfume, he said he wanted it to have the odor of an Italian spring morning after the rain.

The Original Eau de Cologne was used only as a perfume, and Napoleon was a particular enthusiast of the Farina Eau de Cologne.

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