Citrus Aurantium

Citrus aurantium, also known as bitter orange, is a fruit from a tree native to Southeast Asia. The fruit, peel, and leaves are used to make extracts and oils.

Bitter orange extracts and oils are used to add a distinct citrus flavor to foods and beverages. They are commonly found in teas, sodas, and other flavored drinks.

In the U.S., bitter orange extracts and oils are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as flavoring agents. Some bitter orange products contain synephrine, a stimulant. Regulatory bodies like EFSA have evaluated bitter orange and its components. Research into the effects of bitter orange, particularly regarding weight management, has yielded mixed results, and its use in supplements has raised some safety concerns.