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Bitter orange

Bitter orange suppliers and sourcing guide

Bitter orange is Citrus aurantium, a citrus tree grown around the Mediterranean and in Asia. Its peel, flowers and leaves are long-standing flavoring sources (orange peel for liqueurs and marmalade, neroli and petitgrain oils), while dried immature fruit is extracted with water or ethanol and standardized to p-synephrine by HPLC for supplements. Peel, oil and synephrine extract are different products with different specs.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Citrus aurantium · Seville orange · sour orange · zhi shi · Fructus Aurantii Immaturus
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of bitter orange

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Dried peel

    Cut or powdered bitter orange peel used in flavorings, teas and liqueurs.

  • Immature fruit extract

    Extract of dried immature fruit standardized to p-synephrine, commonly 6% to 50%, by HPLC.

  • Essential oils

    Bitter orange peel oil, neroli (flower) and petitgrain (leaf) oils for flavor and fragrance.

  • Flavonoid extracts

    Extracts standardized to citrus flavonoids such as hesperidin or naringin.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Synephrine assay (HPLC)
p-Synephrine and related amines (octopamine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine) by HPLC, with a check for synthetic m-synephrine.
Identity (HPTLC/HPLC)
Fingerprint to confirm Citrus aurantium and the plant part.
Residual solvents
For extracts made with ethanol or other solvents, residual solvent levels against USP <467> or the buyer's spec.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, usually by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and Prop 65 exposure targets where relevant.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella. Raw herb powders carry more microbial load than extracts and may be steam treated, which should be stated on the COA.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep dried peel and powdered extracts sealed in lined drums or bags, away from heat, light and humidity. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Suppliers assign a shelf life or retest date, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest before material is used past it.

Lots and expiry dates

Synephrine content depends on fruit maturity and extraction, and the regulatory position of synephrine extracts differs by market, so check every lot's assay. Record the supplier lot, plant part, synephrine result and retest date.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists bitter orange flowers and bitter orange peel (Citrus aurantium L.) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Citrus aurantium (Zhi shi) under the pharmacopoeial name Fructus Aurantii Immaturus.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Citrus aurantium (POL-NF-00252) lists the fruits as not novel in food and the leaves and flowers as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Bitter orange suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking bitter orange suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell bitter orange? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of bitter orange can brands buy?

Common forms include dried peel, immature fruit extract, essential oils and flavonoid extracts. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for bitter orange include?

Expect synephrine assay (HPLC), identity (HPTLC/HPLC), residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticide residues and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should bitter orange be stored?

Keep dried peel and powdered extracts sealed in lined drums or bags, away from heat, light and humidity. Dry extracts are hygroscopic and cake once exposed to air, so reseal opened containers promptly. Suppliers assign a shelf life or retest date, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest before material is used past it.

What is the regulatory status of bitter orange?

21 CFR 182.20 lists bitter orange flowers and bitter orange peel (Citrus aurantium L.) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Citrus aurantium (Zhi shi) under the pharmacopoeial name Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Citrus aurantium (POL-NF-00252) lists the fruits as not novel in food and the leaves and flowers as not novel in food supplements.

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