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Chapter 18 · Enchanting Chemistry - Natural Flavors and Fragrances
18
BOX: Genuine Eau de Cologne
The history of Eau de Cologne
(German: Kölnisch Wasser) goes
back to the beginning of the
eighteenth century, when an
Italian family of merchants
emigrated to Cologne/Germany.
Around 1709, a scion of this
family called Johann Maria Farina
created a fragrance from the
essential oils of lemon, orange,
bergamot, mandarin, lime, cedar
and grapefruit as well as various
herbs. Initially known as “Farina
aqua mirabilis”, the name Eau
de Cologne was established
around 1742 in honor of the city
of Cologne. The Farina company
still produces Eau de Cologne
according to the original recipe
and is thus the oldest perfume
manufacturer in the world.
Eau de Cologne quickly gained
great popularity far beyond the
borders of Cologne and found
famous fans such as Napoleon,
Goethe and Mozart. Compared
to perfume, Eau de Cologne was
comparatively inexpensive and
thus accessible for the first time
not only to the upper classes
but also to middle-class people.
At the end of the eighteenth
century and in the first half of
the 19th, Eau de Cologne was
the dominant scent. There were
various manufacturers of it,
whereas the basic ingredients
hardly differed.
Since the beginning of the
nineteenth century, Wilhelm
Mülhens also produced Eau
de Cologne, initially using the
term Farina in the company
name, in order to profit from
its fame. After many name
disputes with the Farina family,
the Mülhens family established
the house number 4711 as
an independent brand at the
end of the nineteenth century
(. Fig. 18.2). The company’s
headquarter was located at
Glockengasse 4711, a house
number dating back to the
French occupation. The best
known brand for Eau de Cologne
to this day was born.
. Fig. 18.2 Best known brand for “Genuine
Eau de Cologne” that still exists today: 4711
(© Maeurer & Wirtz GmbH & Co. KG, Stolberg)