Extracting essential oils from citrus fruits
All the colours and aromas of Sicily in every drop
The production of essential oils has always been the essence of our business with an exclusive focus on the global B2B market. Over the years, we have scaled up the industry with great commitment, perseverance and determination, acquiring thousands of customers worldwide who use our essential oils to bring their products to life on a daily basis.
Ever reliable and dynamic, we use nothing but the very best raw materials to produce essential oils of the highest quality at truly competitive prices. We offer 100% pure, natural products, as well as specialities tailored to the needs of individual customers. From the most precious citrus cultivars, we cold press essential oils of extraordinary quality, encompassing all the colours and aromas of Sicily in every drop. We also offer an organic line, and can supply all our products in colourless, distilled, concentrated, terpeneless and furocoumarin-free versions. Our citrus essential oils are highly valued at the international level and are applied in a variety of fields, including food and drink, perfumes and fragrances, cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Our manufacturing processes combine the experience gained over a century with the most innovative modern technologies. Since 2020, we have been using a fully automated production line to produce samples for customers’ pre-sales inspections in a very short space of time. Our in-house R&D division adds value to our offering by continually improving production processes, product specifications and the quality of our end products. We follow strict control protocols and have a modern testing laboratory managed by experienced and competent technical staff. Our mission is to ensure the satisfaction of our customers, whether they are large multinationals requiring tonnes of essential oils or small businesses that only need them in small quantities.
Lemon
Citrus limon (L.) Burm.
The Citrus limon is a fruit tree belonging to the Rutaceae family that can reach a height of 3 to 6 metres. The lemon is believed to have originated in the East and brought to Europe by the ancient Romans. In Italy it is grown mostly in Sicily, where it was introduced by the Arabs in the 9th century.
Sicilian lemon is famous the world over for its qualitative and nutritional properties. The most popular varieties in Sicily are the Femminello and the Monachello cultivars, which account for about 75% and 10% of production. Lemons are mainly grown on the Ionian side of the island, in the provinces of Syracuse, Catania and Messina. They are harvested between September and June and come in numerous varieties; those in the Femminello cultivar are the most prevalent.
Sweet Orange
Citrus sinensis
The Citrus sinensis has been grown in China and India since the mid-3rd millennium BC, and was brought to Europe in the 14th century, probably by Portuguese traders. It can reach a height of 12 metres and has fleshy leaves and white flowers. The fruit’s peel is highly scented and rich in essential oils.
The Blond Orange is classified as a “sweet” variety due to the taste of its pulp, from which a pleasant and refreshing juice is obtained. This typical Sicilian species is very popular, the island’s favourable climate conditions granting the fruit an unparalleled quality. There are numerous varieties of this cultivar, the most common are the Washington, Navelina, Ovale, Ribera, Belladonna and Valencia. These varieties are harvested between October and June.
Red (or Blood) Orange
Citrus sinensis
The Red (or Blood) Orange is a “sweet” variety characterised by the colour of its pulp, which ranges from dark orange to bright red. This is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a water-soluble pigment with powerful antioxidant properties and beneficial effects.
The main cultivars are Tarocco, Moro and Sanguinello. The plant was introduced to Sicily by the Arabs between the 9th and 11th centuries, but only in its “bitter” version (Citrus aurantium) for ornamental purposes. The “sweet” variety came only later, between the 15th and 16th centuries, as a result of trading with Portugal. Red Oranges are grown extensively in the eastern part of Sicily in groves close to the volcano of Mount Etna, between the provinces of Catania and Syracuse. The harvest period takes place between December to April.
Mandarin
Citrus reticulata, Blanco
Originally from Asia, Mandarin growing developed in Sicily in the early 19th century. The plant belongs to the Rutaceae family and can reach a height of 2 to 4 metres.
Recent studies have shown that, alongside the pomelo and the citron, the mandarin has originated every variety of the Citrus family through hybridisation and selection. The fruit has a light orange pulp and is very juicy and sweet. The peel is thin, fragrant and rich in essential oil, the colour of which may be green, yellow or red depending on the degree of ripeness of the fruit and the extraction system used. The most common varieties are Avana, Paternò and Tardivo di Ciaculli. The harvest takes place between October and March.
Bergamot
Citrus bergamia
Nobody knows exactly where Bergamot’s origins lie, but it is generally considered to be a graft between bitter orange and lime. The tree reaches a height of 3 to 4 meters. The flowers are white and extremely fragrant. The fruit is spherical, with a thin, deep yellow peel that is rich in essential oil. The pulp is acidic and bitter.
In Italy, the largest groves are on the Ionian coast, in the province of Reggio Calabria. The physical properties and climate of this region offer the perfect conditions for growing this citrus species. It is estimated that more than 80% of the world's production is grown in Calabria. The main varieties are Femminella, Castagnaro and Fantastico. The harvest takes place between November and March.
Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
Grapefruit is thought to be native to Central America and to be a natural hybrid between the pomelo and the sweet orange. It was first introduced to Italy in the 1960s, where it is mainly grown in Sicily, in the provinces of Catania and Palermo.
This evergreen plant can easily reach a height of 15 metres. It has white flowers and yellow fruits with a juicy but bitter and acidic pulp. This can be yellow or pink-red depending on the variety, and is surrounded by a thick white spongy layer known as the albedo. Grapefruit is rich in minerals, vitamins and active ingredients such as naringenin which has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. The most widespread cultivars in Italy are the Marsh Seedless and Star Ruby.The harvest takes place between October and May.
Lime
Citrus aurantifolia
This species belonging to the Rutaceae family is native to Indonesia. The plant reaches a height of about 5 metres and produces small, oval or round fruits with a thin peel that is rich in essential oil. When ripe, the peel is yellow to orange and the pulp very juicy and fragrant but bitter and acidic in flavour. The lime needs a tropical climate to grow and is therefore not particularly widespread in Europe.
Today, it is grown mainly in Indonesia, Mexico and Florida. It was once used as an alternative to lemon, mistakenly believing that it had the same properties and, in particular, the same vitamin C content. The fruit is harvested before it is ripe when the peel is still green because the pulp is juicier and more flavoursome. The harvest takes place between June and September.
Certifications
We have obtained and maintain numerous system and product certifications. Our essential oils are Kosher and Halal certified and can be included in products used by Jews and Muslims, as well as Hindus, vegetarians, vegans and allergy sufferers, who choose these products not just for religious reasons but for their inherent quality.
