GLEN ROCK, N.J. — Bergamot widely known as a key ingredient in fragrance development, is fast becoming a sought after and valuable ingredient for flavor developers. Bergamot is a citrus fruit that offers interesting new beverage application possibilities, according to Joe Raimondo, President of Artiste, based in Glen Rock, NJ.
“The uniquely appealing properties of natural bergamot oil and organic bergamot oil make it a key ingredient in a wide variety of products. Bergamot, a hybrid of uncertain origin has many different and unique flavor profiles that vary from each place of origin from around the world,” Raimondo said. “It’s not the kind of citrus used in fresh-squeezed citrus juices, yet when blended with hot and cold teas, sweet confections, syrups, iced beverages and spirits, bergamot adds a surprising tangy,slightly herbal and different citrus flavor that is very appealing.”
Teas continue to rise as consumers’ favorite go-to beverage. The more tea flavor variety the better and bergamot is one of those flavors that blends beautifully, adding an element of flavor surprise that pleases the most sophisticated palates.
Bergamot is perhaps one of the most narrowly grown fruits in the citrus family; mainly because the fruit prospers best in the Ionian Sea coastal areas of Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, where over eighty percent of the world’s supply is grown. That’s where Artiste, a global flavor and fragrance specialty ingredient company, sources the world’s most highly desired extracts of natural bergamot oil.
“Year by year, we are experiencing an increasing level of requests for bergamot oil, mainly for flavoring teas and the development of unique beverage profiles,” Raimondo said.
Evidence of Healthy Properties
In addition to its flavor and fragrance applications, a series of new studies show that bergamot may be a good natural replacement for statins and may have other healing properties as well, including topical pain and itch relief. Bergamot oil is natural, easily blended and is also believed by some to offer holistic, relaxing, therapeutic properties, such as reducing stress and aiding sleep.
In the fragrance space, bergamot offers a fruity, slightly floral and alluring top note that is rich and sensual in its appeal for perfumes, colognes, soaps, lotions and creams. As the demand for natural and organic ingredients grows, bergamot provides a perfect ingredient profile for foods, cosmetics and health care products.
Artiste is an established global flavor and fragrance specialty ingredient company serving customers world-wide. Through its network of partnerships, Artiste offers the finest quality ingredients of citrus, mint, extracts, natural aroma chemicals and more. Located in northern New Jersey, Artiste
is the ingredient partner of choice for delivering unparalleled service and consistent high quality ingredients.