Some History on Cologne

A cologne is a blend of extracts, alcohol and water, each perfume, cologne, fragrance, is characterized by the ratio of ingredients. A perfume has a different concentration of extracts to an Eau de Toilette. Perfume has the highest concentration, followed by Eau de Parfum and Esprit de Parfum. Though they are less concentrated, the two latter fragrances leave an intense lingering scent. Eau de Toilette is much lighter, with the least concentrated fragrance being Eau de Cologne.

Fragrances and aromas spread to Europe as the Crusades made Europeans even more aware of the art of perfumery which had existed for centuries prior in the Middle East. By the Middle Ages trade in spices from east became hugely important in Western Europe; the same spices were used in perfumes, medicine and in food. By 1656 the guild of glove and perfume-makers was established in France. In Royal Court of Great Britain women would put fragranced sponges under they clothes. By the 17th century Europe was virtually swept away by the fad of perfumery.

It was common for noble women to create their own fragrances by experimenting with different aromas. Louis-14 of France was considering restricting the use of perfumes because he felt jealous that his subjects loved fragrances more then him. When the Americas were discovered so was a perfume industry new to the Europeans. Balsam of Peru and American cedar, sassafras and vanilla immediately found loyal consumers in Europe.

The creator of the first Cologne was Gian Paolo Feminis who arrived at his invention in 1709 - "Aqua Admirabilis". It is recorded that Napoleon Bonaparte used eight quarts of violet cologne every month.

Sometimes a less potent form of fragrance, such as eau de parfum or an eau de cologne, is more pleasing. Today, eau de cologne (or simply, cologne) means nothing more than a fragrance whose essential oil concentration is approximately 5% (as opposed to perfume, which has the highest concentration, typically ranging from 20% to 25%. Centuries ago, however, eau de cologne meant something quite different. It was a fragrance in its own right, connoting a delightful mixture of lavender, bergamot and neroli.