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The first extraction machine

Invented by Nicola Barillà in 1844, the "Macchina Calabrese" (Calabrian machine) was the first machine for extracting Bergamot Essential Oil. From the hand crank version, it evolved to the steam version, then the combustion version, and finally the wood version with a Marelli engine. The iron machines date back to the early 1960s and were all made in Reggio Calabria.

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Traditional tools for extraction

The " Roncola "(billhook), the " Rastrello " (a particular spoon), the Spugna (loofah sponge), the " Ramiera " (copper container) and the " Concolina " (terracotta vessel) are tools used for the extraction of the PDO-status-awarded Bergamot  Essential Oil according to the manual "sponge" method, in use until the mid- 17th century . Vincenzo Amodeo , the last of the " Spiritari " (expert workmen involved in the manual extraction of bergamot oil), used this method which required 400 kilograms of Bergamot to obtain 1 kilo of oil; according to the Calabrian method, 200 kilograms are needed.

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Spray pumps

Several spray pumps were filled with a compound obtained from the maceration of Bergamot leaves, used as a pesticide to protect other plants and garden products.

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Bergamot-related crafts

The local production of tools and equipment for the harvesting and processing of Reggio Calabria bergamot included special carts, various objects and, in particular, chestnut baskets also called “coffe” or “sporte”, as iconic items of a province-scaled community economy.

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Artisan tools

Tools used by local artisans to indicate that, during the Bergamot season, many abandoned their trades to dedicate themselves to the processing of this citrus fruit, considered more profitable.

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Old perfumes

Among old perfumes many contain essence of Bergamot of Reggio Calabria, such as the first Eau de Cologne created by the young Italian Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709, at the age of 22. The difference between perfumes made with PDO-status-awarded essential oil of Bergamot of Reggio Calabria  and those oxidized without it, is highlighted.

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The “Bergamotes de Nancy” and historic perfumes

The “ Bergamotes de Nancy”, sweets made in France since 1705 with essence of Bergamot from Reggio Calabria, are a cultural symbol for the French and generate a significant economy for the province of Lorraine.

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Bergamot peels and health

Bergamot peels, used as a defense against infections caused by mosquito bites. Old crafts for health thanks to the exploitation of the properties of the essential oil contained in the peels, which offered protection and well-being through dolls, flowers, whistles, snuffboxes and containers for natural medicines and cooking aromas.

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Bergamot-based cosmetics

The various uses of the Reggio Calabria Bergamot Essential Oil, awarded with PDO-status (“Protected Designation of Origin”), in cosmetology, such as in shower gels, shampoos, body creams, tanning creams and, above all, as a fixative for perfumes.

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Bergamot Food Products

Some of the first food products based on Bergamot from Reggio Calabria, such as syrups, condiments, juices, beverages, jams/marmalades, honey, sugar-coated almonds (whose Italian name is confetti), sweets, liqueurs and pasta.