Reggio Calabria bergamot (essence, liqueurs and traditional preparations) in Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria bergamot is a citrus fruit grown almost exclusively along the Ionian coastal strip of the province of Reggio Calabria. The fruit has an intensely fragrant peel and very acidic flesh, rarely eaten fresh. Its main value lies in the essential oil extracted from the peel, one of the most prized in the world for perfumery and flavoring. Beyond the essence, bergamot is locally transformed into marmalades, liqueurs, sweets, candies, and pastry products that allow its unique fragrance to be enjoyed.

Bergamot is one of the most recognizable symbols of Reggio Calabria’s agricultural identity. Its cultivation is tied to a very specific microclimate between the Strait of Messina and the Ionian coast, which makes this area almost unique in the world for the quality and aromatic yield of the fruit. For centuries bergamot essence has been an important economic resource, sought after by the international perfume industry. Today it represents both a local agricultural tradition and a source of regional pride, often associated with the most authentic image of Calabria.