Citrus bergamia - Bergamot Orange

The Bergamot, in Latin Citrus bergamia, is the citrus tree that you know without even realizing it! Its distinctive lemony aroma has been used everywhere since the 18th century, whether in perfumes (a key ingredient in Eau de Cologne!) or in the famous Earl Grey tea. From April to May, it is covered with small, highly fragrant white flowers. The green and then yellow fruits have the appearance of a small orange, borne on a compact 3 to 4m (10-13ft) tall bush. This sun-loving and heat-loving citrus tree is, as you may have guessed, rather susceptible to cold! It is best grown in a large container and protected from frost in a greenhouse or conservatory.

The Citrus bergamia also called the "Bergamot Orange", is a medium-sized bush of the Rutaceae family, with a rather upright and bushy habit. It is mainly cultivated in the Calabria region in southern Italy, and it is believed to be a hybrid between Citrus limetta (sweet lemon) and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange).

This small tree reaches a height of 3 to 4m (10-13ft) (around 3 in a pot, 4 in the ground under suitable conditions). It spreads to about 2.5m (8ft), and its growth is very slow. Not very hardy, it can be planted in the ground only in very warm climates. Elsewhere, it will be grown in a pot and stored away at the first sign of frost. Primarily cultivated for its fruits, the bergamot tree blooms abundantly in April-May. It produces small white flowers with a sweet and delicious fragrance, characteristic of Citrus. These flowers give way to round fruits, reminiscent of oranges. Their thick and smooth skin, initially dark green, turns yellow when ripe. The flesh of the fruit is greenish, not very juicy, very acidic and bitter. The fruits are often harvested while still green when their essential oil concentration is at its peak. The evergreen and aromatic leaves, intensely green leaves of this citrus tree are ovate, leathery and small.

Bergamot essential oil is widely used by the perfume industry, especially since the invention of Eau de Cologne by Giovanni Maria Farina in 1708. Its oil and zest are key ingredients in Earl Grey tea, which appeared in English salons in the early 19th century. Its fresh and invigorating aroma is increasingly finding its place in the culinary world where they are constantly searching for new flavours to tantalize the taste buds! It is also a plant with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and worming properties, commonly used in aromatherapy.

Most citrus trees thrive in the ground in the Mediterranean coastal regions, where they find the year-round warmth they need. But to fruit well, they must not lack water or nutrients. Not very hardy, Citrus bergamia starts to suffer from cold temperatures as low as 0°C (32°F). It is a self-fertile bush, meaning that a single plant is sufficient to complete pollination and fruiting.