Discover the extraordinary Cointreau aroma wheel

Cointreau may be created using exceptional sweet and bitter orange peels from the four corners of the world, but its flavor profile goes far beyond a single fruit. A nuanced symphony of diverse notes, the iconic liqueur is something of an aromatic feat.

We set out to uncover all of Cointreau’s organoleptic layers by tapping both science and the human palate. The exercise is often conducted for perfume, hard liquors and wines. The process began with a chemical analysis called gas chromatography olfactometry (GC-O), a sort of mini-distillation that separates the various molecules present in Cointreau liqueur.

 These notes were then sorted into seven olfactory families, originating from the world of perfume: zesty, fruity, floral, animal, spicy, gourmet, vegetal. The result was a truly complex combination that spans cut grass to toffee.

Serve Cointreau alongside other dishes and see how it transforms. Tip: When creating a pairing, ensure there is one aromatic note in common. For example, a neat glass of Cointreau would pair perfectly with a slice of chocolate cake thanks to their common caramel notes.

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