When talking about citrus fruits in the world, Murcia is not like any other place; it is famous for its quality, so much that it is called Europe’s orchard. Although there are lemon trees in many countries, from Argentina to Italy, lemon essential oil from southeast Spain has a flavour and components that make it top-tier for the most demanding industries, such as luxury perfumery, flavourings, and gourmet food.
What makes our local lemon so special and why do international formulators specifically request it?
The Terroir and the Climate: The Alchemy of the Sun
The good quality of an essential oil comes from the field. The semi-arid climate of Murcia, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, mild winters, and fertile soil, creates the perfect water and thermal stress for the tree to concentrate its natural defenses, which are the essential oils stored in the vesicles of the shell (flavedo).
This unique climate blend results in a balanced chemical profile. At Just Different People, our lemon oils (Citrus limon) stand out for their high content of limonene, even more so due to their optimal concentration of citral (neral and geranial), the aldehydes that give that fresh, sparkling, and typical “freshly cut lemon” aroma that does not easily oxidize towards heavier notes.
Freshness from the Field to Pressing
Another important point for lemon essential oil to be good is that it does not take much time between harvesting and processing. At Just Different People, we are located in the heart of the production area, so we work with local raw materials.
Lemon essential oil is obtained through cold pressed (mechanical extraction expression) of the pericarp of the fresh fruit. By processing the fruit shortly after harvesting, we avoid the degradation of the most subtle volatile compounds. The result is an essential oil with a bright yellow colour and intense aromatic power, highly valued as an initial note in fragrances, and as a natural flavouring for drinks and confectionery.
At Just Different People, betting on local origin is not only a regional patriotism matter, it is an intelligent decision to guarantee the freshness and aromatic superiority of the final product.