If you are into fragrances, chances are high that you have come across a note called “Bergamot” quite often, especially when exploring summer scents.
Have you ever wondered what is bergamot and what it smells like?
Well, if these questions ever stuck in your head, then you don’t have to look any further.
In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about bergamot! Besides its origin to popularity, I have also included some popular fragrances that contain bergamot in them.
Bergamot and its Origin
Bergamot or Citrus bergamia is one kind of round or pear-shaped lime-like fruit with a greenish-yellow peel. It’s a hybrid between bitter orange and lemon, vastly produced in some parts of Italy. The essential oil derived from the peels of this fruit is widely used in fragrances.
Even though bergamot looks like orange or limes it differs heavily in taste. It has a lovely citrusy smell with some floral, sweet, and spicy hints underneath. The aroma of this amazing fruit gives a feeling of confidence and bliss to the mind.
It is heavily produced in the southern coastal part of Italy and requires a half-shaded area for better cultivation.
Origin of Bergamot
The origin of bergamot is inherent to the tropical regions of southeast Asia. This bright and sunny perfumery note is now commercially produced in the Reggio di Calabria of Italy. In fact, this fruit is the symbol of that charming and economically profound city.
Previously the process of extracting bergamot essential oil was done through cold-pressed or hand-made methods. But now it is done through machinery, which is cost-effective and requires less human labor.
The name bergamot comes from the Turkish word “beg-armudi” or “The Prince’s Pear,” which is given to the most exotic fruits in the world.
From the 15th and 16th centuries, the use of bergamot oil has been popular among both genders. Its fruit takes nearly two years to grow and a few steps to accumulate the final product.
The peels are dried and cold pressed to extract its oil which is later used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and flavoring foods.
Despite being a citrus fruit, unlike lemon and orange, bergamot is inedible. The peel of it is mainly used to make the bergamot essential oil(BEO).
Bergamot oil is well known for its use in Earl Grey Tea. The refreshing and bright fruity essence boosts up the revitalizing effect of this black tea a lot.
Its flavor gives a delicious twist to chocolates and other baking items as well. Also, the use of bergamot-scented candles is well-loved by everyone, especially the luxury it adds to the ambiance is unparalleled.
Almost every fragrance opens with an enlivening aroma that comes from bergamot. In the next section, I will describe its smell to you in every possible detail. So, don’t skip that.
What Does Bergamot Smell Like?
Bergamot is a versatile fruit that gives a refreshing and radiant feel like limes with a lovely sweet hint. There are some aromatic and grassy smells in it. Also, this fruit incorporates the essence of dried fruits which creates an intense sweet vibe besides its slightly spicy touch.
If you have never experienced its sunny and bright aura, then don’t worry. I will give you every gist of its captivating sensation.
So, what exactly does bergamot smell like?
The aroma of bergamot is not like typical citrusy aromas, rather it is much more refined and has many different tones and flavors to it.
Apart from its refreshing tangy smell, bergamot has a lovely floral, sweet, and herbal undertone. The interesting part is its spicy hint, which resembles the aura of black pepper to some extent.
Its smell is well-rounded and creates an uplifting vibe. Bergamot’s aura gives a feel of nature, with its sunny and bright hint.
This fruit stands somewhere between the tanginess of lime and the sweetness of orange with a pure floral sensation.
Although the dominating part of bergamot is its crisp tangy smell, which enhances the mood and gives a feeling of relaxation, its alluring doses of florals and herbal nuances make this popular citrusy note a well-loved and multifaceted one.
The attention-luring floral flare of this scent gives a subtle yet pleasant blend of roses, jasmine, and lilies.
Finally, there is a spiciness in the scent of bergamot that makes it very attractive, pleasant, and likable. This spicy and warm scent adds depth and complexity to the aroma of it.
The delicate floral accords of bergamot with a sensual spicy undertone make its essential oil a suitable pick for both genders.
So, as you can probably tell by now, bergamot is a one-man army – it’s a scent that has a lot of complexity to it.
Starting from the refreshing vibe to the cozy finish, it’s very energizing and captivating as a scent. This surely explains its widespread use in different types of fragrances for decades!
Why Is The Smell of Bergamot So Popular in Perfumery?
Bergamot is citrusy but in a softer way. It emits a fresh and light aroma that instantly gives an energizing feel. Also, this zesty note has some delicate floral nuances and a resinous sweet hint. Thus the presence of bergamot in fragrances is well-loved.
In one word, bergamot gives an uplifting effect in perfumes. Its bright and sunny tangy-sweet smell works as an evocative element to the mind. Also, this particular note creates an engaging vibe with a floral and spicy undertone.
The sensation of bergamot essential oil is safer and mass-appealing because of its softened tanginess with some delight of sweetness. Its smell doesn’t have any nauseating effect like other clean notes.
Lime, lemons, and mandarins have a similar zesty aspect to bergamot, but their addition to different perfumeries doesn’t create an appealing impression as this one does.
Thus, the use of bergamot smell is very notable due to its inviting and complex nature.
What Are The Benefits Of Bergamot?
It is widely discussed that the bergamot smell has some amazing effects on the human mind. It aids in reducing grief, boosting confidence, and gives a relaxed feel to the brain after a tiring day. Even specialists often claim that the aroma of this tangy fruit has shown positive results as an antidepressant.
Besides the uses of bergamot in fragrances, toiletries, cosmetics, and food products, it has been used as medicine for many years owing to its numerous health benefits.
If you are interested in knowing the use of bergamot for its rewarding effects on the body and mind, then have a look at the following:
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety: The fresh, uplifting scent of bergamot has a calming effect on the mind and nerves. It’s often used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety levels, helping you to feel more relaxed and centered.
- Boosts Mood: The scent of bergamot has been shown to have a positive effect on mood, helping to lift spirits and promote a sense of well-being, making it a great option for anyone looking to improve their mood.
- Promotes Immunity: Bergamot is rich in antioxidants and other nutrients that can help to boost the immune system, protect against illness and disease.
- Antiseptic and Antibacterial Properties: In addition to its stress-reducing benefits, bergamot also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and this is a trait that many citrus fruits have. Due to the acidic nature of its chemical component and flesh, it is a great antiseptic agent.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Its essential oil has demonstrated potential in alleviating chronic pain and inflammation. So, if you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, then bergamot oil is a must-try for you.
Now, that pretty much sums up the beneficial effects of the prince of citrus, and as you can see, there are plenty of them.
Sometimes the accords used in fragrances seem very simple and straightforward, but bergamot isn’t one of them.
What Perfume Note Pairs Well With Bergamot Smell?
Bergamot’s aroma is uplifting, sunny, and crisp. Its mellowed citrusy smell is rounded with some sweet and floral touch.
Yet, many find its aroma overpowering while some prefer it with other evocative notes. In perfumery, bergamot is almost always used in the top layer with other reviving elements. It gives an elevated experience when this bright accord is merged with other notes.
In the following section, I will discuss some scents that go well with bergamot:
- Lemon: Lemon is upright and citrusy. But when this fresh note is merged with bergamot, it greets with an engrossing touch from the opening of the fragrance. It complements lemon oil very well and enhances the refreshing vibe in most summer perfumes.
- Chamomile: The herby, fruity-fresh, and warm smell of chamomile becomes more prominent when it is blended with bergamot. Their combination adds a relaxed feel and clams the mind.
- Cypress: Its dry, smokey, woody smell is brightened with the tanginess of bergamot. The aroma of cypress is complex, but bergamot’s enlivening touch gives it a unique edge.
- Lavender: Lavender offers the most charming aromatic smell with some herbal hints. Its powdery sensation is attention-hooking. And, its fusion with bergamot’s citrusy aura boosts the aroma.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is an all-rounder. Its minty, fresh, and herby smell has been a staple in aromatherapy. No wonder, the tartness of bergamot is a heavy catalyst when it comes to strengthening the cheering nature of rosemary.
- Ylang-Ylang: Nothing can be compared to this element when you want some touch of exoticness and richness in your fragrance. The floral, fruity, and subtly spicy smell of ylang-ylang complements the sunny vibe of bergamot.
Top 4 Hyped Fragrances Where Bergamot Smell is Prominent
Now that I have covered the basics about bergamot, let’s find out some of the popular fragrances that are prominent with its note.
To start with, many perfumes and colognes feature bergamot as one of their ingredients, but I have decided to jot down some of the most popular ones with bergamot in them.
Here are the 4 best bergamot-featured fragrances:
1. J’adore By Dior
One of the most famous perfumes that feature bergamot is J’adore by Dior, launched in 1999 and created by Calice Becker.
Besides being an award-winning sensation, J’adore is still loved and worn by ladies all around the world. To this day, often fragheads look for similar perfumes to J’adore By Dior.
Its sweet, fruity, floral, and citrusy opening act features a prominent bergamot note that really adds more potency to the scent.
The mood-boosting, energizing quality really comes through in this combination. It’s a chic, feminine classic that is floral, fruity, and musky – all things good!
2. Obsession By Calvin Klein
Another perfume that features bergamot is this best-smelling Calvin Klein cologne, Obsession, which was created by Jean Guichard and launched back in 1985.
Bergamot is one of the key ingredients in Obsession, which is a cult classic. The bright and zesty facts of this note really make the scent feel much more upbeat and perfect for the summer.
It blends seamlessly with the other citruses, green notes, and vanilla to create a beautiful opening that transitions smoothly to the scent’s spicy, woody, and floral core.
It’s a wonderfully spicy, sensual, vintage aroma, and bergamot only adds to its appeal.
3. Sauvage By Dior
One famous cologne that features bergamot is Sauvage by Dior.
Created by Francois Demachy, Sauvage is an iconic scent known for its fresh, citrusy aroma, and bergamot is one of the key ingredients that gives it its signature character.
Bergamot provides a bright, zesty note to the fragrance, which is balanced by a mix of other fresh, woody, and spicy ingredients.
I have tested many similar fragrances to Dior Sauvage EDT, but very few of them could imitate its soothing yet complex blend of bergamot.
4. Dior Homme Sport 2021
Another outstanding bergamot-featured cologne is Dior Homme Sport EDT. Initially released in 2008 this fragrance has many renditions. Its 2021 version is drafted by François Demachy and has a mind-blowing uplifting aroma of bergamot.
In this gem bergamot’s smell is very refreshing yet it holds the masculine feature of this scent prominently. Its citrusy, slightly spicy, and captivating woody blend is alluring.
FAQs
Is bergamot a masculine or feminine scent?
Bergamot can be used in fragrances for both genders. Its smell is refreshing and bright, with some spicy, sweet, and floral tones. Thus, it complements the nature of both men and women.
Does bergamot smell good?
Yes, bergamot has a well-rounded cheering citrusy aroma that smells very nice. The herbal, sweet, floral, and spicy undertone of bergamot is mass-appealing and elegant.
Does bergamot Smell Like Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey Tea is flavored black tea with the bergamot oil. Surely, it gives a prominent aroma of bergamot.
Is bergamot an attractive Scent?
The right amount of bergamot essential oil with other sensual notes is a major factor in making the most attractive scent. Its refreshing vibe enhances the seductive tone of the fragrance.
Can you eat bergamot?
No, bergamot tastes too bitter. Thus, it is not suitable for eating raw. But, it is widely used in flavoring different food items.
Conclusion
Citrusy, floral, sweet, zesty, and spicy – all these words sum up how bergamot smells. From use in food flavorings to fragrances to aromatherapy, it’s an exotic ingredient for sure!
Interestingly, you can use it to calm your nerves as you can use it to feel energized, and that’s the beauty of bergamot.
Nonetheless, despite its many uses, its use in fragrances and flavorings is the most common, and if the nature of bergamot attracts you, then you must try the bergamot fragrances!
I have covered every possible detail about the smell of bergamot in this write-up. If you have any more queries, please let me know in the comment section.
