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Bergamot is one of perfumery’s most iconic top notes, prized for its radiant freshness, subtle complexity, and ability to harmonize diverse ingredients. Extracted via cold pressing from the rind of the Citrus bergamia fruit—a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon—it emits an effervescent aroma that’s citrusy, slightly tart, and gently floral. Native to Calabria, Italy, bergamot oil is a cornerstone of countless fragrance styles, from classic eaux de cologne to modern chypres and fougères.
Bergamot essential oil combines the juicy sparkle of orange with a nuanced green bitterness and mild floral undertones. Its complex profile comes from naturally occurring linalyl acetate, limonene, and linalool. Unlike more linear citrus oils, bergamot evolves gently on skin, softening into a creamy, almost tea-like drydown.
Bergamot’s fresh and uplifting nature makes it ideal for promoting relaxation, clarity, and emotional lightness. It’s often used to relieve stress and enhance mood, offering an immediate sense of cleanliness and well-being. In perfumery, it opens fragrances with a joyful, energizing sparkle.
Historically used in traditional Calabrian folk medicine and as the key scent in Earl Grey tea, bergamot became a mainstay in 18th-century colognes. Its popularity has endured across centuries, prized for its versatility, natural elegance, and olfactory brightness.
The essential oil is obtained through cold expression of the fruit’s peel, preserving its delicate volatile compounds. Because bergamot is photosensitive, it’s often processed to remove bergapten, ensuring safe skin application.
Bergamot is one of the most versatile top notes in perfumery. It blends seamlessly with florals, woods, herbs, and resins, and is essential in fougère, chypre, citrus, and gourmand compositions. Its ability to smooth sharp edges and lift heavier notes makes it a perennial favorite among perfumers aiming for luminosity, freshness, and elegance.
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