Bergamot Essential Oil and Earl Grey

Bergamot is a member of the citrus family, grown commercially in Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, and the Ivory Coast. Research shows it to be a hybrid of a sweet Lemon (citrus limetta) and the Seville orange (citrus aurantium).

Its flavor is considered bright and energizing. The fruit has flesh similar in color to a lime. Bergamot is the primary essential oil featured in Earl Grey tea, a blend of Ceylon (Sri Lankan) and Indian tea, named for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl in his lineage. Lord Grey was prime minister to King William IV. Legend tells that the Earl was presented with the tea that would later bear his name, by a Chinese mandarin whose son's life had been saved by one of Earl Grey's men. Bergamot oil is also used to produce the famous Eau de Cologne of the 17th century. 100 bergamot fruits are needed to produce 3 ounces of the coveted oil, which is useful for treating depression, aiding digestion, and in PUVA therapy for those with extreme eczema and psoriasis. We at The Natural Bar Soap Company use bergamot essential oil in several of our all natural soap bars. We blend it with Earl Grey tea to handcraft our Honey Oat Tea Soap,, and we also add it to our Spearmint Tea Tree Soap to mellow the spearmint, and balance the somewhat medicinal tea tree oil scent. Our natural olive oil soaps are made even better with the addition of wonderfully scented wholesome soap ingredients like bergamot essential oil. Try one today and experience our lusciously lathering bars of goodness for your skin!