Mimosa is probably one of the least familiar fragrances we sell. Many customers buy their first Mimosa soap without really knowing what it smells like. They simply add it to their basket out of curiosity. The cheery yellow bar and the promise of a delicate floral fragrance that evokes winter sunshine, are often enough to tempt them.
When people ask me what Mimosa smells like, I usually pause for a moment. I could tell them it's a gentle floral fragrance. I could describe it as soft, slightly powdery, with fresh green notes and a delicate floral warmth. But after years of selling French soap, I've found myself describing it in a much simpler way: It's a hug in a bar.
And actually a Mimosa fragrance doesn't smell totally like a freshly cut branch of Mimosa: during extraction, some of the leaves are processed alongside the flowers, giving Mimosa its subtle green, hay-like and gently nutty notes. It's those extra layers that balance the fragrance in a way that isn't quite the same as standing beneath a flowering tree
Why do people return to Mimosa?
It isn't loud or showy. Instead, it has a gentle warmth that seems to become more familiar every time you use it. It's rarely a fragrance people fall in love with overnight, but it has a habit of quietly working its way back into the shopping basket
One thing I've noticed about Mimosa
One of the pleasures of specialising in French soap is being able to compare different makers side by side. With some fragrances, the differences can be remarkable. Verbena is a perfect example; every perfumer seems to take it in a different direction, and comparing them is part of the enjoyment.
Mimosa is rather different. Yes, every savonnerie has its own interpretation, some are richer, some lighter, some a little more powdery, while others have greater depth. But they're all unmistakably Mimosa. I actually find that rather reassuring.
If you enjoy Mimosa from one French soap maker, there's every chance you'll enjoy another maker's interpretation too. The differences are there, but they're much more subtle than they are with many other fragrances, so choosing between them often becomes less about the fragrance itself and more about the formulation you enjoy, or simply the savonnerie you've grown to love.
Not quite as French as you might imagineLike many people, I'd always assumed Mimosa had simply belonged in Provence, infact the familiar yellow Mimosa of southern France originally came from Australia. During the nineteenth century it was introduced to the Côte d'Azur, where wealthy landowners were filling their gardens with plants from around the world. Rather than remaining a garden plant, Mimosa loved the Mediterranean climate, self-seeded and gradually spread across the surrounding hillsides and roadside verges. Today it's difficult to imagine places such as Tanneron or Bormes-les-Mimosas without it, yet compared with olive trees or lavender it's actually a relatively recent arrival.
Did you know
How did an Australian tree become one of the symbols of Provence?
Mimosa arrived from Australia during the nineteenth century and adapted so well to the Mediterranean climate that it quickly spread beyond the gardens where it was first planted. Today it's one of the defining sights of the Côte d'Azur during late winter.
If you're ever in Provence during January or February, make time for the Route du Mimosa.
The road from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse winds through miles of bright yellow blossom and, on a mild winter's day, you can often catch the delicate fragrance drifting through the open car window. It's quite spectacular and, unlike the famous lavender fields of summer, still feels like one of the South of France's best-kept secrets.
The Mimosa cocktail doesn't contain Mimosa.
The famous brunch cocktail of Champagne and orange juice takes its name from the flower, not the ingredients. Its bright golden colour reminded people of Mimosa blossom, and the name simply stuck.
Can you grow Mimosa in Britain?
Yes, although it prefers a sunny, sheltered position and some protection from hard frosts. Judging by the number of bunches now appearing in British florists during January and February, we're beginning to appreciate Mimosa here as much as the French have for generations.
Why is Mimosa such a treasured ingredient in perfumery?
Unlike lavender or rosemary, Mimosa isn't usually distilled to produce an essential oil. Instead, perfumers extract a Mimosa absolute from the freshly harvested flowers. The process is more complex, the yield is low and the ingredient is prized for its beautifully soft, powdery character. That's one of the reasons Mimosa has remained a favourite in fine perfumery for generations.
Looking back, I think that's why Mimosa has quietly become one of the classics of French soap. It doesn't demand attention and it has never really been fashionable. Instead, it quietly brings warmth and cheer to the middle of winter, reminding us that brighter days aren't too far away.
Perhaps that's why I've enjoyed seeing bunches of Mimosa appearing in British florists over the last couple of winters. Until recently it was a flower I only ever expected to see in the South of France. Seeing it here feels like a little piece of Provence has quietly found its way home.