Character
The Story of Bergamot tea
Bergamot tea fuses the sparkling citrus of bergamot orange rind with the dry, herbaceous whisper of tea leaves, creating a fresh, slightly bitter top note that lifts compositions and adds a nuanced brightness to any fragrance.
Heritage
The bergamot tree first appears in botanical records from Southeast Asia, but it found a permanent home on Italy’s Calabrian strip by the 16th century. Local growers valued the fruit for its medicinal qualities, using the peel as an analgesic, antiseptic, and mood‑lifting agent. In 1686 Francis Procopius introduced “bergamot water” to French aristocracy, marking the fruit’s debut in luxury scenting. By the 18th century artisans in Grasse crafted small perfume boxes called “bergamots” that held pressed peel, a practice that spread across Europe. The 19th‑century invention of the Calabrian hydraulic press accelerated production, allowing bergamot to dominate the top‑note market. Today bergamot tea notes appear in classic colognes and modern niche fragrances, linking centuries of citrus heritage with contemporary taste.
At a Glance
1
Feature this note
Italy
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Cold-press extraction
Fruit peel (rind)
Did You Know
"The oil that flavors Earl Grey tea first entered French perfumery in 1686 as “bergamot water,” a luxury scent that quickly became a staple top note and still defines modern citrus accords."