The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Korres was founded in Athens in 1996 by George Korres, drawing from a family pharmacy legacy and the rich botanical heritage of Greece. The perfumer behind White Tea Bergamot Freesia was commissioned to capture those fleeting Greek mornings when bergamot and tangerine hang heavy in stone-lined streets and the air carries the scent of tea leaves harvested on nearby slopes. The creation process rooted itself in Korres's philosophy of working with natural Greek ingredients, translating pharmacy-grade precision into a fragrance that feels both studied and effortless. The commission was driven by the brand's desire to offer a scent that could serve as a daily ritual, something worn as casually as a morning Greek coffee.
The note structure is built around contrast and transition. Bergamot and mandarin orange anchor the opening because they are the most immediately communicative of citrus, capable of brightening skin without overwhelming it. Freesia was chosen as the heart note because it bridges citrus and white florals without the heaviness of jasmine or gardenia. The tea note is the conceptual linchpin of the fragrance, chosen deliberately to slow the composition down, to create a pause between the initial impression and the settling of the base.
The evolution
The fragrance begins as a sunlit burst of bergamot and mandarin orange, crisp and immediate, softened only slightly by the honeyed florals of neroli. Within the first fifteen minutes the composition pivots, freesia asserting itself with a cool, dewy character while the tea note emerges, bringing an almost meditative stillness to the heart. As the hours pass the composition deepens subtly, cedarwood introducing a gentle woodiness while cotton flower keeps the texture clean and airy. Oakmoss arrives last, not as a dramatic statement but as a quiet acknowledgment of the earth beneath the florals, completing a journey that moves from high-key brightness to soft, reflective warmth.
Cultural impact
Since its 2010 debut, White Tea Bergamot Freesia has become a go‑to unisex scent for those seeking a light, garden‑inspired fragrance that works year‑round. Wearers often note its suitability for casual brunches and office days, positioning it alongside other fresh Mediterranean fragrances that celebrate clean, botanical simplicity.
