Dehydrated Bergamot Slices

Product delivered in a resealable pouch

1. Who am I?

Dehydrated Bergamot Slices are a citrus fruit originating from Italy, specifically from the Calabria region, where 95% of the world’s production is concentrated. This fruit comes from the bergamot tree, a member of the Rutaceae family (like the orange and lemon trees). Its taste is a subtle blend of orange, lemon, and grapefruit, with a slight acidity, making it an ideal alternative to lemon in cooking. Dehydrated bergamot slices retain all the aromatic properties of the fresh fruit, offering a unique and refined fragrance to your dishes, desserts, and beverages.

2. Culinary Uses

Dehydrated bergamot slices are perfect for adding a delicate fragrance to your recipes. Here are a few usage suggestions:

• Infusion: Add bergamot slices to black or green tea to create your own Earl Grey tea, or to hot beverages like herbal teas.

• Fish and Seafood: Infuse bergamot in a sauce for fish or shellfish, or use it as a lemon alternative to subtly flavor your seafood dishes.

• Desserts: Incorporate it into your dessert creams, fruit salads, or even your cakes to add an exotic and subtly tangy touch.

• Drinks and Cocktails: Use bergamot to flavor your cocktails, punches, or detox waters, adding a sweet and fruity note.

In addition to its culinary uses, bergamot is appreciated for its digestive properties and its stimulating effect on the stomach.

3. A Little History

The origins of bergamot are shrouded in mystery. Some believe it comes from the East and was introduced to Europe by the Crusaders, while others suggest it was brought back from the Canary Islands by Christopher Columbus. As for its name, theories vary: it could come from the Turkish "beg armudi," meaning "prince's pear," or from the Spanish town of Berga.

Bergamot is best known for its use in the production of essential oil extracted from its peel, used to perfume products like Earl Grey tea, candies (notably the famous Bergamote de Nancy), and even cosmetic products. Once used in certain tanning oils to promote tanning, bergamot oil is now widely appreciated for its aromatic virtues.

4. Recipe Ideas

• Homemade Earl Grey Tea:

  • Ingredients: Black or green tea, dehydrated bergamot slices.
  • Preparation: Add one or two dehydrated bergamot slices to your tea while it infuses to create a delicious homemade Earl Grey tea with natural flavors.

• Bergamot Fish en Papillote:

  • Ingredients: Fish fillets (sea bream, salmon), bergamot slices, olive oil, herbes de Provence.
  • Preparation: Place the fish fillets with bergamot slices, a drizzle of olive oil, and herbes de Provence in parchment paper. Bake for a gentle and fragrant dish.

• Bergamot-Flavored Dessert Cream:

  • Ingredients: Fresh cream, sugar, dehydrated bergamot slices.
  • Preparation: Heat the cream with a few bergamot slices to infuse, then remove them before serving the cream as dessert.

• Bergamot Cocktail:

  • Ingredients: Sparkling water, vodka, bergamot slices, cane sugar.
  • Preparation: Add bergamot slices to your mixture of vodka and sparkling water to create a refreshing cocktail with subtle lemon and orange notes.