What a great fragrance! Not only for candles, but great as a balancing note in perfumes and baking! I can't say that I have seen a bergamot at a grocery store. Now that I am a candle maker, I notice fragrances in a different light. When discussing collaborations and custom candles, this fragrance has been brought up, almost every time. Seems like others are aware of it. Once you smell it, it's so noticeable, yet you understand why it's more of a background note. I have blended it in a floral candle to give it some balance. One would not pick it out intentionally. Because it wowed me and because it's such a popular request, I have made it into it's own special candle.
A bit of history on the zingy fruit.
What is Bergamot?
The fruit itself is the size of a small orange and somewhat pear-shaped with a barely conical top and rounded base. On the outside, bergamot comes in various shades of green, yellow, and orange, and on the inside, they are color of limes, lemons, and, occasionally, oranges. Like most citrus, bergamots are in season from October to March. While the plant originated in Southeast Asia, most of the world’s supply—a whopping 80%—comes from Calabria, the southern region that is Italy’s “shoe,” but it’s also grown in the Ivory Coast, the south of Turkey, Brazil, and China.
Bergamot is most prized for the super fragrant essential oil extracted from its skin. The aroma is citrusy, musky, and floral with an intensity that’s hard to believe. That oil is used to scent candles, perfumes and soaps, and, of course, is commonly combined with black tea for Earl Grey, or Lady Grey.
It's also a culinary accent to many dishes!
Bon Apetit!!