Essence of Green Gold by Cécile Matton

LabSolue presents its olfactory celebration of Bergamot.

Overlooking the Ionian sea, the vibrant perfume of Bergamot Gardens flows in the Calabrian breeze. The Citrus Bergamia has a unique olfactory character: a citrus trail with an aromatic scent, accompanied by fresh, green notes. The evergreen tree blossoms during the winter, yet the aromatic Essential Oil is reminicent of summer. Legend states that from the Spanish city of Berga a branch of Bergamot was sold to the Valentino family of Reggio Calabria; grafting the plant onto a bitter orange tree, they started the cultivation tradition on their land. Calabria is today the only region in the world dedicated to both the quality and quantity production of these citrus fruits, so unique and precious to be named "green gold of Perfumery".

An Essence characterized by authentic Bergamot of Reggio Calabria, enhanced by the freshness of Lemon and combined with refined Cedar Wood, evoking the sunny Calabrian nature.

Curiosity: Bergamot is one of the essences most used in top notes by the perfume industry, so that it has earned the nickname "prince of citrus fruits". It has ancient and uncertain origins. The etymology itself is uncertain, it could date back to the city of Berga (Barcelona), or to that of Pergamon (Troy), or to Berg-a-mudi, which in Turkish means "pear tree of the Lord". Giovanni Maria Farina, an illustrious merchant and perfumer from Novara who moved to Germany, Cologne, included it in the composition of the citrus-based perfume called aqua mirabilis which from 1700 acquired the name by which it is still universally known: "Eau de Cologne" .Today is grown in three cultivars which are distinguished in particular by their fruits, the smaller and smoother Femminello, the pear-shaped and ribbed Fantastico, and the larger and wrinkled Castagnaro. To produce one kilo of Essential Oil over twohundred kilos of fresh fruit are required. Fortunately, nothing of this citrus is thrown away, the peel is used to extract the precious essence and the pulp to produce the antioxidant juice.