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Also call:
Bee balm, Red Bergamot
 | DESCRIPTION
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Bergamot is a yearly herb plant that
grows up to the height of 1.2m tall. The stems are square with leaves
that are oval in shape and 8-15cm long that are attached in pairs to the
stem. In the late summer, red tubular flowers bloom to the size about
4-5cm long and full of nectar. It is called the orange bergamot
because of its leaves and flowers as they have the orange perfume.
| HISTORY AND ORIGIN
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It's native to North America. Its
delicate flavour is commonly mixed with the Earl Grey tea. The oil of
the Bergamot is purified from the Bergamot orange not the Bergamot herb
itself.
| BUYING AND STORAGE
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Most times Bergamot can only be found
in dried form as a herbal tea. Fresh leaves or flowers, if available,
can be stored in water and use the same day, or can even be chop up and
freeze into water ice cubes.
| PREPARATION AND USE
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Bergamot leaves is a savoury herb which
can be used in meatloaf, vegetarian dishes, pork and veal. For sweet
dishes such as fruit salads and ices, Bergamot leaves can be added the same
way as the mint. Flowers of the Bergamot are gently shredded and added
to the tossed green salad.
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