Bergamot is a small citrus tree native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Italy, where it thrives in warm, sunny climates and well-drained soils. The tree produces small, yellow-green fruit, which are harvested when ripe for essential oil extraction - a labour-intensive process, as the fruit must be carefully harvested by hand to avoid damage to the delicate, aromatic rind. The oil is extracted from the rind of the fruit through cold expression, yielding a fruity, spicy, and slightly floral scent. It is most famously used in perfumery and in Earl Grey tea, where it gives the distinct flavour, though is often considered too bitter to eat raw. The bergamot tree is predominantly cultivated in Calabria, southern Italy, where it has been grown for centuries, and where this certified organic oil originates from.
