Perfumery is more than the creation of beautiful odors; it's a literary art form of scent. And one of the most popular scents in perfumes is probably one of the most common substances on the planet: bergamot—a citrus scent that's been captivating perfumers for centuries. Why is bergamot so integral to luxury fragrances? And what is bergamot, anyway? This blog delves deep into what bergamot is in perfume, bergamot's fragrance, and how bergamot has shaped perfume history.
Bergamot is a citrus fruit approximately an orange-lime cross, which is bright yellow-green in color. While other citrus fruits are usually eaten, the bitterness of bergamot leads it to be eaten more often in the form of its essential oil, cold-pressed from the peel. It is grown mostly along Calabria's coastlines, Italy, where the climate contributes to its aromatic wealth.
This scented fruit has been utilized for centuries both in medicine and perfumery. In traditional herbalism, bergamot was valued for its antibacterial and calming properties. Its oil was used in aromatherapy to fight stress and enhance mood. Today, other than its medicinal properties, bergamot is one of the most widely used ingredients in prestige fragrances.
People wonder what does bergamot smell like in perfume and how it is different from other citrus fragrances. Though bergamot features the citrus, uplifting nature of lemon and orange, its smell is lighter and more subtle compared to others. It holds a natural sweetness, a hint of floral loveliness, and a dry spiciness that makes it very versatile. In contrast with lemon, often pungent and sour-tasting, the bergamot possesses an austere, rather woody gravity that can easily be combined with other fragrance elements.
Bergamot in fragrance is a transitional ingredient. Where bergamot will smell can be determined by the way other ingredients are put together with it. It is able to stay fresh and edgy in citrus-centric fragrances, sensual and warm in flowers, or mystical and smoky in oriental and woods fragrances. Top notes are intensified with its brisk freshness while enriching richer bottom notes, ensuring that it forms an essential constituent in traditional perfumes as well as modern scents.
Bergamot serves as a middleman between various fragrance families. Bergamot is also inherently light and fresh but possesses a depth that enables it to blend easily with floral, spicy, woody, and even gourmand notes. It is for this reason that bergamot can be found in some of the most legendary perfumes in history.
There are three main uses of bergamot in perfumery:
1) Perfumes based on citrus: Bergamot provides a bright and lively note, which gives the fragrance a fresh and energizing feel.
2) Floral accords: Coupled with white flowers such as jasmine and tuberose, bergamot adds brightness and freshness to them.
3) Woody and oriental fragrances: In richer, more intense perfumes, bergamot adds contrast to warm and heavy notes such as sandalwood, amber, and vanilla.
The past of bergamot in perfumery dates as far as the 18th century, the time it rose to prominence as the leading feature in the world's first ever colognes. The legendary Eau de Cologne, the child of Germany, was founded on bergamot's pungent freshness, complementing other citrus and herbal fragrances. Over time, this scented gem evolved into a standard feature in French and Italian perfumery, laying the foundation for some of the world's top-of-the-line fragrances today.
In Victorian times, bergamot was equated with sophistication. It featured prominently in perfumed handkerchiefs and perfumed water that were enjoyed by European royalty. When changing times caught up with perfumery, bergamot became part of men's and women's perfumery as a testament to its timelessness.
The opening boasts a lively mixture of bergamot, pink peppercorn, nutmeg, and grapefruit. Next comes the spicy heart composed of tonka bean, cedarwood, and clove, succeeded by the foundation that delivers warmth with the elements of vetiver, vanilla, musk, and woody amber. The perfect rendition of citrus bergamot perfume, it creates a fresh as well as grounded, deeper contrast.
Inspired by the Italian Riviera, this scent embodies the luxury of the Mediterranean. It begins with a zesty blend of bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon, and bitter orange, succeeded by crisp herbal nuances of lavender, rosemary, and myrtle. The middle unveils African orange flower, neroli, jasmine, and pitosporum, acceding to the warm base of amber, angelica, and ambrette. Its elegant citrus character makes it an excellent selection for those who adore fresh but sophisticated scents.
This ageless scent showcases San Carlo calabrian bergamot, renowned for its unique sweet freshness. It combines this radiant citrus note with hedione and Vaucluse lavender to provide the fragrance with an airy yet refined floral quality. The chypre accord, comprised of bergamot, flowers, oak moss, and patchouli, provides an elegant depth, thus turning this citrus bergamot fragrance into an ageless classic.
A fresh and revitalizing scent, Allure Homme Sport begins with a clean splash of bergamot and neroli. The middle contains a subtle combination of lavender, rose, and violet accord, providing a gentle yet elegant floral note. Patchouli and cedarwood form the base, providing depth and longevity, and this scent is ideal for those who enjoy freshness with a touch of warmth.
Bergamot perfumes are highly versatile and thus can be worn on nearly every occasion. Due to their freshness and energizing quality, they are perfect for daytime wear for work, day-to-day outings, or even evening affairs.
To maximize the use of citrus bergamot perfume, use it on pulse points like the wrists, neck, and behind the ears. These points create heat, allowing the scent to naturally diffuse. To prolong the longevity of the scent, layer it with harmonious notes such as vanilla, sandalwood, or floral accords.
Bergamot has proven itself to be one of the most beloved of perfumery ingredients. Due to its facility in blending harmoniously with the other fragrance groups, it remains a classic and fundamental note across numerous formulas. Whether used as a zesty, bergamot, and citrus perfume or used in a heavy and rich oriental mixture, bergamot remains to seduce perfume aficionados around the globe.
Knowing what is bergamot in perfume, what does bergamot smell like in perfume, and how it has influenced the world of perfumery enables you to further appreciate its beauty. If you're fond of fresh, elegant, and uplifting fragrances, a citrus bergamot perfume is an essential in your perfume collection.
Explore our wide range of fragnances for you
Enjoy 10% Off Welcome Offer On Your Newsletter Sign Up :
