Bergamot

Bergamot is arguably the most important citrus ingredient in all of perfumery, appearing in the opening of countless fragrances across every category and style. This small, pear-shaped citrus fruit, grown almost exclusively in Calabria, Italy, produces an essential oil that is bright, slightly floral, and elegantly bitter — quite unlike any other citrus.

If lemon is bold and grapefruit is tangy, bergamot is the sophisticated, refined member of the citrus family. What makes bergamot so indispensable to perfumers is its unique ability to be both uplifting and elegant at the same time.

It provides a sparkling freshness in the opening while carrying subtle floral and tea-like nuances that allow it to blend seamlessly with virtually any other ingredient. Bergamot pairs beautifully with rose for timeless elegance, with lavender for classic fougère structures, with amber for warm sophistication, and with white tea for modern minimalism.

Earl Grey tea gets its distinctive flavor from bergamot oil. You will find this note in the majority of all fine fragrances ever made — it truly is the perfumer's most trusted friend.