THE PRODUCT AND ITS STORY
Bergamot is a hybrid between lemon and sweet orange, present in the Mediterranean and North Africa in ancient times. Southern Calabria is undoubtedly the most important production center in the world in terms of quantity (around 90% of world production) and quality.
The EOs can range from green to yellow, depending on the degree of ripeness of the fruit (the EO of unripe bergamot, or green bergamot, has a very dark green colour). The aroma is fresh, citrus-fruity, washed and with traces of balsamic odor, linalyl acetate character, less citric than other citrus fruits, with a light tea nuance. The final note is soapy with lemony citrus character and a light tea/tobacco note, reminiscent of clary sage.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EO dominated by monoterpenes but with a much more complex composition than other citrus fruits. It is the only citrus pressing oil for which hydrocarbon monoterpenes can constitute less than 50% of the total. The EO analyzed by the author had linalyl acetate, linalool and geranyl acetate among the oxygenated compounds. Among the hydrocarbon monoterpenes are (+)-limonene, gamma-terpinene, beta -myrcene and beta -pinene. The non-volatile part is composite: bergamottin, 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin, citroptene, bergaptene, bergaptol
HOW AND WHEN TO USE IT
It has the ability to bond well with a large number of perfumery materials and forms the keystone of many top note accords of the most well-known men's and women's fragrances, especially citrus colognes, chypres and fougères, thanks to its sweet and deep.
Used extensively in high-end men's perfumes.
Unlike other citrus fruits, bergamot also has a certain fixative power if used at high percentages.
Used as a food fragrance for its sweet fruity but at the same time refreshing notes, for example to flavor teas such as Earl Grey, or in hard candies as a flavor modifier of other citrus fruits. It has GRAS status.
The material for diluting the oil will depend on the final use: in dishes containing fats it will be diluted in oil or butter, in the case of sweet dishes you can make a syrup or use honey, in the case of liqueurs or dishes that do not require fats, ethanol can be used.
CAUTIONS
EO has a moderate risk of phototoxicity, and may be photocarcinogenic. IFRA recommends not using cosmetic products with more than 0.4% bergamot to avoid phototoxic effects, but higher doses can be used if the skin is not moved to the sun for 12 hours after application. Avoid old and oxidized OE