Bergamot orange

Bergamot orange
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species:
C. bergamia
Binomial name
Citrus bergamia
Synonyms[2]
  • Citrus aurantium subsp. bergamia (Risso & Poit.) Wight & Arn. ex Engl.
  • Citrus aurantium var. bergamia Loisel

Citrus bergamia, commonly known as the bergamot orange (pronounced /ˈbɜːrɡəmɒt/), is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange, with a yellow or green colour similar to a lime, depending on ripeness.

Genetic research into the ancestral origins of extant citrus cultivars found bergamot orange to be a probable hybrid of lemon (itself a hybrid between bitter orange and citron[3][4]) and bitter orange.[5] Extracts have been used as an aromatic ingredient in food, tea, snus, perfumes, and cosmetics.[6][7] Use on the skin can increase photosensitivity, resulting in greater damage from sun exposure.[6]

Etymology

The word bergamot is derived from the French word bergamote, which is in turn derived from the Italian word bergamotta, named for Bergamo.[8][9]

The similarly named bergamot pear is derived from Ottoman Turkish beg armudi (بك آرمودی, 'prince's pear').[8][10]

Description

Bergamot orange cross section

Citrus bergamia is a small tree that blossoms during the winter. The juice tastes less sour than lemon, but more bitter than grapefruit.[11]

Phytochemicals

Bergamot fruit or oil contains flavonoids, such as neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, melitidin, brutieridin, and bergamottin.[6][12] Bergamot leaves contain different indole alkaloids, such as N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine.[13]

Taxonomy

The bergamot orange is unrelated to the herbs known as bergamot, wild bergamot, bergamot mint, or bergamint – Monarda didyma,[14] M. fistulosa,[15] and Eau de Cologne mint (Mentha, disputed species).[16] Those are all in the mint family, and are named for their similar aroma.

The C. bergamia is frequently misidentified as another citrus, C. hystrix (kaffir lime), due to the latter occasionally going by the name "Thai Bergamot".[17] Citrus bergamia has also been classified as C. aurantium subsp. bergamia (i.e., a subspecies of bitter orange).[18] C. bergamia is sometimes confused with C. medica (the citron, the yellow fruit of which is also known as etrog), and with C. limetta, the "sweet lemon" or "sweet lime".[19]

Production

Bergamot tree in Melito di Porto Salvo, Calabria, Italy

The bergamot is a citrus fruit grown mostly in Mediterranean areas. Production is on large scale in the Ionian Sea coastal areas of the province of Reggio di Calabria in Italy, to such an extent that it is a symbol of the entire city. Most of the bergamot production of Italy is at this short stretch of coastal land, where the climate is favorable.[20] There are three different cultivars of bergamot fruits that are traditionally grown, namely Feminello, Fantastico and Castagnaro.[21]

Bergamot is also grown in southern France[22] and the Ivory Coast[23] for the essential oil, and in Antalya in southern Turkey for its marmalade.[24] The fruit is not generally grown for juice consumption.[7] However, in Mauritius where it is grown on a small-scale basis, it is consumed as juice by the locals.[25] The fruit is also cultivated in Argentina,[26] Brazil,[27] North Africa,[28] Iran[26] and Greece.[26]

One hundred bergamot oranges yield about 3 ounces (85 g) of bergamot oil.[29]

Adulteration with cheaper products such as oil of rosewood and bergamot mint has been a problem for consumers. To protect the reputation of their produce, the Italian government introduced tight controls, including testing and certificates of purity. The Stazione Sperimentale per le Industrie delle Essenze e dei Derivati dagli Agrumi (Experimental Station for Essential Oil and Citrus By-Products) located in Reggio di Calabria, is the quality control body for the essential oil Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria DOP.[30]

During World War II, Italy was unable to export to countries such as the Allied powers. Rival products from Brazil and Mexico came onto the market as a substitute, but these were produced from other citrus fruits such as sweet lime.[31]

Uses

Tea and other uses as a flavouring

Bergamot marmalade

An essence extracted from the aromatic skin of this sour fruit is used to flavour Earl Grey and Lady Grey teas,[18] as well as confectionery (including Turkish delight).[32] Bergamot is one of the most common "casings" (flavourings) added to Swedish snus, a smokeless tobacco product.[33] The leftover peels were traditionally made into small souvenir boxes or snuff containers.[34][35]

A vial containing the dark green-brownish essential oil
Essential oil

Fragrance

Bergamot oil is one of the most commonly used ingredients in perfumery.[36] It is prized for its ability to combine with an array of scents to form a bouquet of aromas that complement each other.[37] Bergamot is a major component of the original Eau de Cologne composed by Jean-Marie Farina at the beginning of the 18th century in Germany.[20] Its citrus aroma is described as "citrus, floral, green, spicy, orange peel, ginger".[38][39][40]

Toxicology

In several patch test studies, application of some sources of bergamot oil directly to the skin of guinea pigs was shown to have a concentration-dependent phototoxic effect of increasing redness after exposure to ultraviolet light (due to the chemical bergapten, and possibly also citropten, bergamottin, geranial, and neral).[41][42][43] This is a property shared by many other citrus fruits and other members of Rutaceae, including rue.[44]

Skin effects

Used in cosmetics and perfume products, bergamot may cause skin irritation.[6] In the past, psoralen extracted from bergamot oil was used in tanning accelerators and sunscreens. Known to be photocarcinogenic since 1959,[45] the substances nonetheless were used in tanning activators until 1995,[46] contributing to many cases of melanoma and death.[47]

Research

As of 2017, clinical research conducted on bergamot oil has been of poor quality, with no conclusions about its possible biological effects.[48][49] Consuming bergamot oil as a component of tea may cause muscle cramps.[6] Use on the skin may be unsafe, particularly for children and pregnant women, and may cause rashes resulting from photodermatotoxicity.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Citrus bergamia". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Porcher, Michel H.; et al. (1995). "Sorting Citrus Names". Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (M.M.P.N.D). The University of Melbourne. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Gulsen, O.; Roose, M. L. (2001). "Lemons: Diversity and Relationships with Selected Citrus Genotypes as Measured with Nuclear Genome Markers". Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 126 (3): 309–317. doi:10.21273/JASHS.126.3.309.
  4. ↑ American Society for Horticultural Science (26 January 2011). "Genetic origin of cultivated citrus determined: Researchers find evidence of origins of orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit, other citrus species". ScienceDaily. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  5. ↑ Curk, Franck; Ollitrault, Frédérique; Garcia-Lor, Andres; Luro, François; Navarro, Luis; Ollitrault, Patrick (2016). "Phylogenetic origin of limes and lemons revealed by cytoplasmic and nuclear markers". Annals of Botany. 117 (4): 565–583. doi:10.1093/aob/mcw005. PMC 4817432. PMID 26944784.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bergamot oil". Drugs.com. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  7. 1 2 Davidson, Alan (2006). Jaine, Tom (ed.). The Oxford Companion to Food (Second ed.). OUP Oxford. p. 75. ISBN 0-19-280681-5. The bergamot orange is not edible and is grown only for its fragrant oil, although its peel is sometimes candied.
  8. 1 2 "Bergamot". Online Etymology Dictionary. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "bergamot (n.1)". Etymology. Oxford English Dictionary (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/OED/1675397269. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  10. ↑ "bergamot (n.2)". Etymology. Oxford English Dictionary (online ed.). Oxford University Press. June 2025. doi:10.1093/OED/6521625389. Retrieved 30 May 2026. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  11. ↑ Anika (25 October 2021). "Bergamot orange: planting, care & use". Plantura. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  12. ↑ Cappello AR, Dolce V, Iacopetta D, Martello M, Fiorillo M, Curcio R, Muto L, Dhanyalayam D (2015). "Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) Flavonoids and Their Potential Benefits in Human Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis: an Overview". Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry. 16 (8): 1–11. doi:10.2174/1389557515666150709110222. PMID 26156545.
  13. ↑ Servillo, Luigi; Giovane, Alfonso; Balestrieri, Maria Luisa; Casale, Rosario; Castaldo, Domenico (17 May 2013). "Citrus genus plants contain N-methylated tryptamine derivatives and their 5-hydroxylated forms". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 61 (21): 5156–5162. Bibcode:2013JAFC...61.5156S. doi:10.1021/jf401448q. ISSN 1520-5118. PMID 23682903.
  14. ↑ "Is Bergamot a Flower? The Tale of Two Different Plants". Biology Insights. 15 August 2025. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  15. ↑ Fulcher, Liz (25 July 2013). "Have You Ever Been Confused by this Essential Oil Name?". Aromatic Wisdom Institute. Archived from the original on 25 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Robby (2 January 2025). "Is Bergamot the Same as Bee Balm? Clearing Up the Confusion". Stone Post Gardens. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Hasa (6 January 2022). "What is the Difference Between Bergamot and Kaffir Lime". Pediaa. Archived from the original on 17 September 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  18. 1 2 "Citrus bergamia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  19. ↑ Frank, Robyn (29 November 2017). "Bergamot - an Identity Crisis". Tisserand Institute. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  20. 1 2 Attlee, Helena (2015). The land where lemons grow: the story of Italy and its citrus fruit. London: Penguin Books. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-241-95257-3.
  21. ↑ Socio-Economic Impact Reports of the Naturals, Bergamot (Report). The International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades. 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2025.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ↑ "Bergamot Orange – Citrus aurantium ssp bergamia". Trade Winds Fruit. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  23. ↑ Ashari, Sumeru. "Citrus bergamia Risso & Poiteau". In Oyen, L.P.A.; Nguyen, Xuan Dung (eds.). Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 19: Essential-oil plants. PROSEA Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  24. ↑ Aktas, Ali (26 October 2004). "Reçellerin gözdesi, Bergamut" [The most prominent marmalade: Bergamot]. Zaman. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  25. ↑ Clapton, Rachel (16 April 2022). "Bergamot: Ingredient Guide, Info, Smell & More!". Fragrance Affection. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  26. 1 2 3 Lauro, Filomena (October 2016). "The protective role of bergamot polyphenolic fraction on several animal models of pain". PharmaNutrition. 4: S35–S40. doi:10.1016/j.phanu.2016.04.001. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  27. ↑ Attlee, Helena (2015). The land where lemons grow: the story of Italy and its citrus fruit. London: Penguin Books. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-241-95257-3.
  28. ↑ "Bergamot Citrus, varieties, production, seasonality". Libertyprim. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  29. ↑ Brannt, William Theodore; Schaedler, Karl. A Practical Treatise on Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils
  30. ↑ "Decreto 15 novembre 2005 – Designazione della Stazione sperimentale per le industrie delle essenze e dei derivati degli agrumi quale autorità pubblica, incaricata di effettuare i controlli sulla denominazione di origine protetta "Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria", registrata in ambito Unione europea, ai sensi del regolamento (CEE) n. 2081/92" (PDF). Institute of Services for the Agricultural and Food Market. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012.
  31. ↑ Board, Niir (2011). "Oil of Bergamot." The Complete Technology Book of Essential Oils (Aromatic Chemicals). p. 75. ISBN 978-81-7833-066-2.
  32. ↑ Garbee, Jenn (6 January 2011). Three generations of Turkish delight in Southern California. Los Angeles Times.
  33. ↑ "Bergamot Flavor - Buy best snus flavors | Best snus online". Best Snus your Online Store. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  34. ↑ ""Bergamote" fragrance cases: an 18th-century creation by Grasse". 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2025. From the Regency onwards, local craftsmen from the Grasse region, where bergamot was grown for perfumery, came up with the idea of using fragrant fruit bark to produce little cases.
  35. ↑ "The Bergamot Snuffboxes". Turismo Reggio Calabria. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025. The bergamot snuffbox was commonly used between the 18th and 19th centuries. It was produced by carving the fruit, extracting the pulp, and, after having turned the peel upside down, it was filled with sawdust to give it its typical flat shape. It was subsequently filled with tobacco that immediately became special and citrus-flavoured, maintaining the right humidity.
  36. ↑ Draelos, Zoe Diana (14 October 2015). Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. Wiley. pp. 57–. ISBN 978-1-118-65546-7.
  37. ↑ Dugo, Giovanni; Bonaccorsi, Ivana (23 August 2013). Citrus bergamia: Bergamot and its Derivatives. CRC Press. pp. 467–. doi:10.1201/B15375. ISBN 978-1-4398-6229-2. S2CID 100440701. ISBN 978-1-4398-6227-8. ISBN 978-0-429-16588-7.
  38. ↑ "bergamot oil". Scents and Flavors. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  39. ↑ "bergamot oil terpeneless". Scents and Flavors. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  40. ↑ "bergamot oil folded". Scents and Flavors. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  41. ↑ Dugo G, Di Giacomo A (2002). Citrus: the genus citrus. London: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-415-28491-2. OCLC 49784202.
  42. ↑ Girard J, Unkovic J, Delahayes J, Lafille C (1979). "Phototoxicity of Bergamot oil. Comparison between humans and guinea pigs". Dermatologica (in French). 158 (4): 229–43. doi:10.1159/000250763. PMID 428611.
  43. ↑ Kejlova K, Jirova D, Bendova H, Kandarova H, Weidenhoffer Z, Kolarova H, Liebsch M (2007). "Phototoxicity of bergamot oil assessed by in vitro techniques in combination with human patch tests". Toxicology in Vitro. 21 (7): 1298–1303. Bibcode:2007ToxVi..21.1298K. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2007.05.016. PMID 17669618.
  44. ↑ Luo, Ping; Feng, Xu; Liu, Shao; Jiang, Yueping (2024). "Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Ruta graveolens L.: A Critical Review and Future Perspectives". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 18: 6459–6485. doi:10.2147/dddt.s494417. ISSN 1177-8881. PMC 11697671. PMID 39758226.
  45. ↑ Urbach, F. (1959). "Modification of ultraviolet carcinogenesis by photoactive agents". J Invest Dermatol. 32 (2, Part 2): 373–378. doi:10.1038/jid.1959.63. PMID 13641813.
  46. ↑ Autier P, Dore JF, Schifflers E, et al. (1995). "Melanoma and use of sunscreens: An EORTC case control study in Germany, Belgium and France". Int. J. Cancer. 61 (6): 749–755. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910610602. PMID 7790106. S2CID 34941555.
  47. ↑ Autier, P.; Dore, J.-F.; Cesarini, J.-P.; Boyle, P. (1997). "Should subjects who used psoralen suntan activators be screened for melanoma?". Annals of Oncology. 8 (5): 435–437. doi:10.1023/A:1008205513771. ISSN 0923-7534. PMID 9233521.
  48. ↑ Mannucci, C.; Navarra, M.; Calapai, F.; Squeri, R.; Gangemi, S.; Calapai, G. (2017). "Clinical pharmacology of Citrus bergamia: A systematic review". Phytotherapy Research. 31 (1): 27–39. doi:10.1002/ptr.5734. PMID 27747942. S2CID 12136775.
  49. ↑ Navarra M, Mannucci C, Delbò M, Calapai G (2015). "Citrus bergamia essential oil: from basic research to clinical application". Frontiers in Pharmacology. 6: 36. doi:10.3389/fphar.2015.00036. PMC 4345801. PMID 25784877.
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