The bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia) is a citrus fruit native to the Mediterranean region. It is used largely for its aromatic essential oil, which is most famously used as a flavor modifier in Earl Grey and Lady Grey teas, as well as in numerous cosmetics and perfurmes. In southern Turkey, it is used for marmalade.
Bergamot orange is often confused with other species due to similarities in appearance or aroma. It has been misidentified with Citrus hystrix (kaffir lime, sometimes called "Thai Bergamot"), classified as a subspecies of bitter orange (C. aurantium subsp. bergamia), and occasionally mistaken for C. medica (citron) and C. limetta (sweet lemon or lime). It bears no botanical relation to the herbs known as “bergamot” (Monarda species or Eau de Cologne mint), which belong to the mint family but are named for their comparable fragrance.
Word origins
"Bergamot" derives from the Italian "bergamotto", possibly referring to the town of Bergamo or originating from the Ottoman Turkish term for "prince’s pear".