Known for its fragrance which flavours tea, the bergamot is a fruit with refined lemony and tangy flavours. Rich in essential oils, it can be used in cooking to make jams, candied peel, cakes or even sweets: the famous Bergamotes de Nancy, which are part of Lorraine's gastronomic heritage. But did you know you can also make syrup from it? Discover our tips for making bergamot syrup.
What is bergamot and when to harvest the fruits?
Used since the 18th century to flavour Earl Grey tea or make perfumes, the bergamot is an evergreen tree that produces highly fragrant small white flowers from April to May. These then give way to green then yellow fruits, which resemble small oranges. They can generally be harvested in October and November and sometimes until winter. They are picked when ripe (yellow) but can also be harvested when green.
The Citrus bergamia is a bush that can reach a height of 3 to 4 metres. Its habit is bushy and upright. It enjoys warmth and sun. Sensitive to frost, it can be grown in colder regions in a container, allowing it to be brought indoors into a conservatory in winter.
It is mainly cultivated in southern Italy, in the Calabria region. It is thought to be a hybrid between Citrus limetta (sweet lemon) and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange).
How to make bergamot syrup?
Ingredients
- 3 to 6 bergamots depending on your taste and preferably organic
- 25 cl water
- 500 g sugar
Equipment
Also prepare a saucepan, a sieve, a wooden spatula and a glass bottle.
Recipe
- Wash the bergamots
- Squeeze the fruits to extract the juice
- Remove the zest and pith
- Set aside the zest
- In a saucepan, heat the water until boiling.
- Pour the water over the zest, cover and leave to infuse for several hours.
- In a saucepan, heat the mixture and sugar, bringing to the boil for a few minutes.
- Add the bergamot juice and heat again until boiling.
- As soon as the water boils, turn off the heat and leave to rest.
How to store and enjoy bergamot syrup?
Strain the mixture, then pour into a glass bottle and place in the refrigerator. It is also possible to sterilise the bottle for a longer shelf life.
To enjoy this bergamot syrup, you can mix it with iced water in summer to make a delicious refreshing lemonade. It can also be used in various types of drinks: with lemonade, fruit juices, herbal teas.
You can also add a few drops to your tea to flavour it and enjoy the famous bergamot tea. Another option: add it to a cake recipe, to yoghurt or even to homemade ice cream.
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