“Bergamotto” is a citrus fruit with a spherical form and it only grows between Villa San Giovanni and Gioiosa Ionica which is about a hundred km. The

blossom time is in April and the fruits are gathered from November to March, despite the narrow strip of land the trees grow really well.

The origins of Bergamotto tree are uncertain. All sorts of theories have been suggested

as to the country of origins: China,The Barbados,Greece,Spain,The Canary Island, but

however the only place in the world where the Bergamotto tree bears fruit is in that

hundred km area.

Bergamotto was already shipped everywhere in the world with metal plates:

These are some of the machines used towork the bergamotto, to make oil, or other

products like perfume and essences.

During the harvest of the fruit these basket werereally helpful because inside of these

the oil was stored without any leaks; they weremade of juta and vimine.

BY VALLEJO MARK JOSEPH / BOGDAN KOCHATOK FROM ITALY