A journey along the Via del Bergamotto
Those who arrive in Reggio Calabria and its surroundings are inebriated by the unmistakable scent of the zagara, bergamot flower.
An itinerary along Via del Bergamotto is an inebriated experience, able to involve all the senses, inspire and amaze, just as it has been for travelers, perfumers and poets of all times who have crossed it.
The Bergamot of Reggio Calabria - Essential Oil PDO
The king of autochthonous Calabrian citrus fruits, Bergamot of Reggio Calabria, is such a precious raw material that it has won the nickname of "Green Gold of Calabria". Green can be, in fact, its thin, and smooth skin.
What distinguishes bergamot from other Mediterranean citrus fruits? Its peculiarity probably arises from the spontaneous mutation undergone by the lemon, bitter orange, or lime in the territory of the province of Reggio Calabria to the so-called Costa dei Gelsomini.
The essence, Essential Oil of Bergamotto PDO, which has been granted Protected Designation of Origin status, is extracted from the fruits of 3 varieties: Feminella, Castagnaro and Fantastico, all belonging to the Citrus Bergamia Risso species.
The particular microclimatic conditions of this area make the Bergamot of Reggio Calabria a citrus fruit with inestimable organoleptic properties, as well as one of the most sought-after essences in the world.
The bergamot essence is obtained by a process that draws on ancient gestures and a man-nature relationship that has been consolidated over the centuries: the harvest is carried out manually from November to March; then, the Green Gold of Calabria is extracted by the cold pressed method using a special peeling machine.
The essential oil of the Bergamot of Reggio Calabria PDO is mainly used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, but also as an ingredient in the confectionery industry for creams, jams, ice cream, liqueurs and soft drinks.
The Via del Bergamotto
How and where to discover the Bergamot of Reggio Calabria and its PDO Essential Oil? Along the Via del Bergamotto that starts from the Metropolitan City and it crosses the Grecanica area to the Costa dei Gelsomini, passing from scent to scent.
