Open any fragrance bottle and take a whiff β chances are you'll detect a bright, zesty burst of bergamot. This sunny citrus essence has been a key note in perfumes for centuries, adding a fresh, sparkling top note that makes scents sing.
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that grows primarily in southern Italy. Resembling a wrinkly green or yellow orange, the bergamot orange is inedible but prized for the essential oil found in its peel. This oil has a complex scent profile that blends tangy citrus notes with hints of flowers and herbs. While it's a member of the orange family, bergamot has a more sophisticated, grown-up aroma than its juicier citrus cousins.
Using bergamot as a perfume ingredient dates back to the 17th century, when it became wildly popular in the royal courts of Italy and France. Legend has it that a craftsman in Reggio Calabria created bergamot oil by accident, squeezing the fruits and realizing he'd struck aromatic gold. By the 18th century, bergamot had become an essential component of classic colognes like Acqua di Parma and Eau de Cologne.
Think of bergamot as a green, zesty lemon with extra complexity β it has bright citrusy top notes rounded out by floral and slightly bitter herbal nuances. Many compare the aroma to early grey tea, which uses bergamot to perfume the dry black tea leaves. The multifaceted scent adds sparkle and dimension to fragrances, preventing them from smelling overly sweet or one-note.
In perfumes, bergamot typically opens the scent in the top notes before giving way to heart notes of florals like jasmine and roses, followed by base notes like woods, musks or ambery scents. Its zesty yet refined aroma is found across fragrance families, from light citrus-florals to richer orientals.
You can experience the scent of bergamot all around you, in any of these:
- Earl grey tea leaves, scented with bergamot oil
- Bergamot-scented candles and room sprays
- Beauty products like bergamot shampoos and lotions
- Cleaning supplies with bergamot
No matter where you sniff it, bergamot's unmistakable aroma is sure to delight and transport you to sunnier climates. The next time you mist on your signature scent, appreciate bergamot's zesty starring role that instantly lifts and brightens any fragrance blend. This humble citrus fruit has earned its place in perfumery history and on stylish vanities everywhere.
