Eau de Cologne

[[File:1811-Rosoli-Flacon.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Farina 1709, the eau de cologne that gave its name to the class]] '''Eau de Cologne''' or simply '''Cologne''' (German: '''''Kölnisch Wasser''''', “Water of Cologne”) is a [[toiletry]], a [[perfume]] in a style that originated from [[Cologne]], [[Germany]]. It is nowadays a generic term for scented formulations in typical concentration of 2-5% [[essential oil]]s. However as of today cologne is a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water. (''For further detail on distinctions, see [[Perfume]]s'') Colognes may be used by men or women but are generally marketed to men as an alternative to perfume. ==Composition== In a base of dilute [[ethanol]] (70-90%), Eau de Cologne contains a mixture of [[citrus]] oils including oils of [[lemon]], [[orange (fruit)|orange]], [[tangerine]], [[Bergamot orange|bergamot]], [[Lime (fruit)|lime]], [[grapefruit]] and [[neroli]]. It can also contain oils of [[lavender]], [[rosemary]], [[thyme]], [[petitgrain]] (orange leaf), and [[jasmine]]. ==History== The original ''Eau de Cologne'' is a spirit-citrus perfume launched in [[Cologne]] in 1709 by [[Giovanni Maria Farina]] (1685–1766), an Italian perfume maker from Santa Maria Maggiore [[Valle Vigezzo]], [[Italy]]. In 1708, Farina wrote to his brother Jean Baptiste: "I have found a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain". He named his fragrance ''Eau de Cologne'', in honour of his new hometown. The Original ''Eau de Cologne'' composed by Farina was used only as a perfume and delivered to "nearly all royal houses in Europe". His ability to produce a constantly homogenous fragrance consisting of dozens of monoessences was seen as a sensation at the time. At the time, a single vial of this ''aqua mirabilis'' ({{lang-la|miracle water}}) cost half the annual salary of a civil servant. When free trade was established in Cologne by the French in 1797, the success of ''Eau de Cologne'' prompted countless other businessmen to sell their own fragrances under the name of ''Eau de Cologne''. [[File:Eau de cologne (flesje).jpg|thumb|right|180px||4711, "Original Eau de Cologne"]] Giovanni Maria Farina's formula has been produced in [[Cologne]] since 1709 by [[Farina gegenüber|Farina opposite the Jülichplatz]] and to this day remains a secret. His shop at Obenmarspforten opened in 1709 and is today the world's oldest fragrance factory. Other Colognes were launched over 100 years after Farina's one, such as the famous Cologne [[4711]], named after its location at "Glockengasse No. 4711". In 1806, Jean Marie Joseph Farina, a grand-grand-nephew of [[Giovanni Maria Farina]] (1685–1766), opened a perfumery business in [[Paris]] that was later sold to [[Roger & Gallet]]. That company now owns the rights to ''Eau de Cologne extra vieille'' in contrast to the ''[[Original Eau de Cologne]]'' from [[Cologne]]. ''Eau de Cologne'', or just "cologne", has now become a generic term. The term "cologne" can be applied to perfume for men or women, but modern convention dictates, in the English language, that it should be assumed the term is most likely when talking about men's fragrance. This convention does not exist in German, however. ==Drinking== [[Image:Troynoy_Odekolon.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Russian & former Soviet ''Eau de Cologne'' "Тройной" (Troynoy; Triple)]] In former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] countries varieties of Troynoy ''Eau de Cologne'' are widely used as a regular [[alcoholic beverage|beverage]] among poor [[alcohol intoxication|drunkards]] especially because it is very cheaply priced compared to [[vodka]]. {{-}} ==External links== {{Commonscat|Eau de Cologne|Eau de Cologne}} {{Commons|Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz|Farina Eau de Cologne}} {{Wikisource|Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz|Eau de Cologne}} *[http://www.farina1709.com/ Farina Gegenüber: Official website] *[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4475632,00.html Deutsche Welle 13.07.2009: Original eau de Cologne celebrates 300 years] *[http://www.koelntourismus.de/en/sehenswertes-kultur/museen-in-koeln/private-museen/duftmuseum-im-farinahaus.html Tourist information website September 2009: Cologne is a feeling] *[http://www.basenotes.net/interviews/20090617.html Basenotes 18 June 2009: An interview with Johann Maria Farina] *[http://www.4711.com 4711: Official website] {{coord missing|Germany}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Eau De Cologne}}