Historically, Bergamot essential oil was an ingredient in Eau de Cologne, a perfume originally concocted by Johann Maria Farina at the beginning of the 18th century. For centuries it has been used in scent making and is an important ingredient in bringing other scents together.

Bergamot orange is the fragrant citrus fruit of the Citrus bergamia, a small evergreen tree which blossoms during the winter. The fruit is the size of an orange, with a yellow-green colour similar to a lemon. The juice is less sour than lemon, but more bitter than grapefruit – which explains why bergamot has become known for its aromatic essential oil, rather than a breakfast delight. Its scent is sweet with mild spicy hints.

Today it is commercially grown in Calabria in Southern Italy, in Southern France in the Côte d’Ivoire, and in Southern Turkey. However the majority of Bergamot comes from Calabria.