The Green Design, the Bergamot Charm

19.02.2020

The color of green and the fractal geometry of Bergamot surface are part of the unique fashion of this excellence of Calabria.

This intense green partially explains how Bergamot oil is commercially important, and constitutes the base of cologne water (eau de cologne), a globally known product and, perhaps, the most widely used toilet water in the world.

The graduation and tonality of the color is also evident in the leaves. A non-minor use of Bergamot is the petit grain oil, another product of a certain importance, distilled from the leaves and young growth.

In any case, the light design of surface permits the production of a highly acid juice derived from the oil extraction process, a citrate of lime or citric acid employed as antiseptic.

FASHION AND HISTORY

Of course, bergamot oil essence has many other perfumery uses, but the main employment of Bergamot, according to Chapot (1962) is the cologne water first developed in Cologne in 1676 by an Italian emigrant, Paolo Feminis. This obscure emigrant began the refinement of Bergamot oil and the product was also commercialized by his son-in-law, Gian Maria Farina. Thus, the first manufacture dates back to 1709.

Another fascinating use, outside the region of Calabria, of bergamot is the recipe for adding its citrus fruit essence to the famous Earl Grey tea, a tea with a distinctive flavor. The recipe employs the natural essential oil that is extracted from green bergamot skins.

INTERNAL DESIGN OF BERGAMOT: ITS INTENSE YELLOW

Under its skin bergamot holds a yellow pulp and an intense juice that smells lemon sharp with soft notes of orange.

That juice is a liquid highly recommended for aromatherapy treatments and having strong antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties.

Unfortunately, apart from its healing properties, both the juice and the oil does have one side-effect: putting them on skin and then exposing it to sunlight, causes discoloration and burning.

Spirulina, the superfood of Sant’Ilario (Calabria)

24.10.2019

Spirulina is a food with multiple beneficial properties.

Spirulina is similar to an alga, but it is not scientifically this kind of living creature. In fact, it is neither an aquatic plant nor an alga, but a unicellular creature, which behaves like a plant, performs chlorophyll photosynthesis and feeds on substances contained in water. However, being much smaller than a a plant or a seaweed and being single-celled, has a absolutely singular body, characterized by a typical spiral shape, from which it takes its name (a body effectively not comparable to an alga or a plant).

A microscopic image

SUPERFOOD

Known since ancient times, Spirulina is today indicated by FAO as the food of the future. Now, in Sant’Ilario dello Jonio, in the province of Reggio Calabria, the first Calabrian plantation that produces it is already active.

This food of the future, a Superfood, according to the experts of FAO, has all the characteristics of a vegetable origin food with a high content of antioxidants, proteins, omega-3, minerals, fibers or other essential nutrients with proven beneficial health effects.

Sant’Ilario dello Ionio

Thus, having these multiple nutritional and therapeutic properties thanks to the substances it contains, it was known since ancient times by the tropical populations that fed on it because it is considered an excellent supplement.

Further, Spirulina contains:

– high quality biological proteins of high quality;

essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and omega 6, which counteract cholesterol and triglyceride levels;

carbohydrates including rhamnose and glycogen;

vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K and B vitamins;

mineral salts such as iron, sodium, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iodine and potassium.

The final product

NUTRACEUTICAL FEATURES

Many are the nutraceutical benefits:

– it reduces the sense of hunger thanks to the phenylalanine content which by acting at the level of the nervous system induces the sense of satiety,

– prevents the damage of aging, favoring memory and concentration;

–  the presence of essential fatty acids of the omega 3 and omega 6 series has a decisive role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

– can be used in the kitchen, but also in cosmetics.

Cultivation tanks