Lemon Oil Italy

Originally from India, the lemon is now grown all over the world. Almost one million tonnes of lemons are produced in Italy alone, the fourth largest producer in the world. The glossy, semi-evergreen foliage bears small, very fragrant white flowers. The leaves are red when young and turn green with age. Its fruit – the lemon – has a bright yellow pericarp with a rind filled with essential oil glands.

Each tree can produce between 150 and 250 kg of fruit a year. Wearing gloves to protect themselves from the thorns on the trees, the harvesters cut the lemons at the base with pruning shears. The lemons are stored in large crates collected from the field. When they arrive at the local factory, they are sorted according to size, appearance and weight.

To extract the essential oil, the lemons are scratched under running water to extract the essence. The oil is then carried by water, forming an emulsion. The essential oil is separated from the water and residue by centrifugation and decanting.