Bergamot is called a hybrid derived artificially plants of the genus Citrus. The plant was obtained by crossbreeding of the orange and citron.
This evergreen tree, whose height 2-10 meters. It has a fairly long branches, covered with a thin, sharp spines, whose length is 10 centimeters.
Leaves leathery, petiolate, elliptic or oblong ovate, shiny and pointed. The flowers of the plant are large, purple or white in color, have a pleasant fragrant aroma. They come in both single and collected in nemnogosloven bundles. The fruit of the bergamot is spherical or pear-shaped, has a three-layer shell.
The flesh consists of several segments, contains a few seeds with sour-bitter taste. Flowering plants occurs in March-April and the fruits ripen closer to the Dec.
The name bergamot is obliged pear shape of the fruit and yellow color that made it similar to the variety of pears “Bergamot”. There is another version of the origin of the name. It is believed that he received thanks to the city of Bergamo, which has long been grown.
Bergamot warmth-loving tree, so it can grow outdoors in a humid climate of the subtropics. Found along the Ionian coast in the province of Calabria, Italy. Quite successfully grown in USA (GA) Brazil, Argentina. The largest and most high-quality plantations grow in the southern part of Italy. And fans of exotic grow bergamot at home.
Fresh fruits of bergamot are strongly advised to store in refrigerator. And more popular the essential oil of this fruit should be stored in a cool, dark place.
The fruit of the bergamot is not very tasty – it is sour-bitter, so cooking it didn’t stick, but in places where it grows, it is prepared marmalade or candied.
So, the manufacturer of products from Sicily, Caffé Sicilia in Noto, produces a commercial marmalade using the fruit as a major component. In Greece are popularly boiled with sugar jam from the rind of the fruit. Also in cooking bergamot orange used to flavor dishes, desserts, mousses, candies, cocktails, alcoholic beverages and other things.
But most often in cooking used oil of bergamot. So, the taste of products in which the oil is added, changed for the better. First of all, the bergamot blends perfectly with the meat and different vegetables. You can try to add a few drops of bergamot in a vegetable broth, and the taste and flavor will change dramatically for the better.
The essential oil is used in the confectionery industry, for example, it is used as a fragrance component in some teas, like Earl Grey.
The oil is also often used in baking. Its flavor is much brighter and nicer. In addition, a small amount of oil can be refilled and the salad fruit and vegetable.
Remember that in cooking, it is desirable to use only that oil which you have prepared for yourself, by pushing fruit by hand.
Calorie fruit is only 36 calories, so it could be taken in any quantity, but since its specific taste, then we eat it rarely. And the oil used in cooking, as the peel can not hurt the figure.
Bergamot has a pleasant aroma due to the presence in the composition of linalyl acetate and linalool. Chemical composition of bergamot is carbohydrates, water, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and a small amount of fat and protein. The main value is contained in the fruit furocoumarins. Are substances with photosensitizing effect, contributing to the rapid pigmentation of the skin and helping to find tan.
In the peel of the bergamot is a valuable essential oil used in cosmetic and perfume industry and in medicine. The oil contained bisabolene, limonene, bergapten, terpineol and nerol.
Bergamot has antiseptic properties, is used as antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agent, has antispasmodic and sedative effect.
You can apply bergamot oil with colds and as an antipyretic medication. When cold and cold oil will help to reduce the temperature, clean the sinuses, and reduce inflammation of the nasopharynx.
Also bergamot strengthens the immune system herpes will help in bronchopulmonary inflammatory processes and diseases of the genitourinary system. Oil leads to normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is used in the treatment of vitiligo and baldness.
Bergamot is included in the composition of different dietary supplements that are recommended to enhance immunity and improve health.
Bergamot tea will help to cope with the problems of the gastrointestinal tract, improves the appetite, will have antiviral, disinfectant and antiseptic effect. Especially useful tea with bergamot in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. In addition, the drink has anti-fungal action.
Essential oil normalizes lymph flow and blood circulation, regulates the water-lipid balance, tones and lightens it. Used for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the skin, relieves rashes, reduces pores, removes irritation after insect bites.
For headaches and tension in the neck helps to massage with oils of bergamot, neroli and grape seed (used as base). Abdominal massage with bergamot helps to improve the digestive process, stimulate the appetite, especially those who need to recover after a serious illness.
Given the properties of bergamot, folk medicine has many recipes for the treatment.
Treatment of bronchitis
It is useful to RUB the soles with a composition of equal proportions of glycerine and vaseline, adding a few drops of oil.
Treatment of oily hair
On the teeth of a wooden comb is necessary to put a few drops of oil and comb the hair in all directions. Also a popular oil in hair masks that make through the day. You can also add a few drops of oil in shampoo, or make wraps with olive and bergamot oil.
Treatment for nervous exhaustion
It is necessary to dilute 3-4 drops of oil in one glass of boiled warm water and add a teaspoon of chicken eggs. Drink this drink twice a day during the week.
Treatment of herpes
If you have symptoms of this disease it is necessary to grease the bergamot oil to the site of inflammation.
The use in cosmetology
Often used in cosmetics the essential oil is extracted ketorolaco. If you squeeze the peel of the fruit with your hands, you can get a bright emerald green oil. It is used for oily skin and hair, as it helps to relieve inflammation and to normalize the sweat and sebaceous glands, remove parasites and various pathogenic fungi.
In the fragrance industry the oil is used with rosemary oil, neroli, orange. His scent invigorates and refreshes, helps to maintain the balance between excitation and calmness, improves mood.
Here are some recipes of cosmetic products that can be prepared with the addition of bergamot oil:
To normalize the skin, a few drops of oil is added to creams and tonics.
For oily skin 75 milligrams of purified water add glycerin (15 ml), bergamot oil, geranium (5 drops) and sandalwood (3 drops). Mass is used as a mask.
To reduce the number of acne can oil mask: a teaspoon of grape seed oil add oil of thyme and bergamot (5 drops). This mask face is handled daily.
For a more even and deep tan in an hour before sunbathing apply the mixture of 100 ml of suntan oil and essential bergamot oil (3 drops).
The skin of the body to tone, if 50 ml of almond oil mixed with oils of lemon, bergamot (5 drops), neroli (3 drops) and rosemary (1 drop). Mask treat skin and massage, then leave on the skin for a few minutes and take a shower.
The use in psychology
When a person is in an unstable emotional state, Efirnoe bergamot oil helps to get rid of fear and worry, discouragement and depression. Stabiliziruemost psyche, self-esteem rises and there is a feeling of happiness and joy. This property is used by psychologists to help improve communication skills, stimulate imagination, and creativity thinking.
So, those who are going to exam or interview, it is recommended to inhale the oil blend of grapefruit, bergamot and lavender. But for those who are hard to get up in the morning, it is recommended to take a shower with soap or gel, which is composed of bergamot.
In cooking
The most popular dish with bergamot is considered to be the aromatic, slightly spicy tea, with its addition, which was characterized by a particularly delicate taste, helps to relieve stress and remove fatigue.
Remember that tea with bergamot, and lemon, not with milk. If you want to try this drink, you need to know a few simple rules it welding. First, you need to rinse with boiling water the teapot. Then put the tea leaves, at the rate of teaspoon in a Cup of water. Water is necessary to keep on the fire until it bubbles to rise up. Pour slightly cooled boiling water into the teapot and allow to infuse for 4-5 minutes – everything is ready to drink.
Also popular are the dessert wines, flavoured with bergamot. In order for one bottle add one drop of oil. You can do it thus: take half a teaspoon of sugar, then dilute it in a glass of wine, and then add to the remaining wine in the bottle. After that, the wine should be left for three days in a closed form. The wine must be filtered through a folded in several layers napkin, and serve.
Try flavored and salad with bergamot oil. You need to wash the greens and put three minutes into the bowl, where in a teaspoon of salt dilute a drop of oil. Further herbs can be used to prepare any of the salads.
Also bergamot oil are added to the jam. While it cools, it is necessary to add a drop of 200 gram and mix well. The smell of Goodies will be a little spicy and tart.
Dangerous properties of bergamot
The bergamot contains furocoumarins, which contribute to the strong pigmentation of the skin. Do not handle sensitive skin, as burns may result, especially in the summer. Do not apply oil on the skin in less than an hour before sun exposure.
From the use of bergamot oil should refrain and allergies. Also not advised to drink bergamot tea at night for those who have a light sleep because he’s too tone.
Bergamot is a hybrid species of artificially cultivated plants of the genus Citrus. The plant was obtained by crossing the orange and the citron.
It is an evergreen tree whose height is 2-10 meters. It has fairly long branches, covered with thin sharp spines, whose length reaches 10 centimeters.
Leaflets are leathery, petiolate, elliptical or oblong ovoid, shiny and pointed. The flowers of the plant are large, purple or white, have a pleasant fragrant aroma. They can be either single or collected in a few flower bundles. The bergamot fruit is spherical or pear-shaped, has a three-layered shell.
The flesh consists of a number of segments, contains a few seeds with an acid bitter taste. Flowering plants occur in March and April, and the fruits themselves ripen closer to August.
The name bergamot is due to the pear-shaped fetus and yellow color, which made it similar to the Bergamot pear variety. There is another version of the origin of the name. It is believed that he received it thanks to the city of Bergamo, where it has long been growing.
Bergamot is a heat-loving tree, so it can grow outdoors in the humid subtropical climate. It occurs along the Ionian coast in the province of Calabria, Italy. It is successfully grown in the USA (Georgia), Brazil, Argentina. The largest and best quality plantations grow in the southern part of Italy. And lovers of exotic bergamot and grow at home.
How to store
Fresh bergamot fruit is strongly recommended to store in the refrigerator. And more popular essential oil from this fruit should be stored in a cool dark place.
In cooking
The bergamot fruit is not very tasty – it is sour-bitter, so it has not taken root in cooking, but in the places where it grows, marmalade or candied fruit is prepared from it.
So, the manufacturer of products from Sicily, Caffé Sicilia in Noto, produces a commercial marmalade, using fruit as the main ingredient. In Greece, jam from fruit rind cooked with sugar is popular. Also in cooking, bergamot is used for flavoring dishes, desserts, mousses, sweets, cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks.
But most often in cooking, bergamot oil is used. So, the taste of products, in which oil is added, changes for the better. First of all, bergamot is in harmony with meat and different vegetables. You can try to add a couple of drops of bergamot in the vegetable broth, and its taste and aroma will greatly change for the better.
Essential oil is also used in confectionery production – for example, it is used as a perfume of some sorts of tea, like, for example, Earl Gray.
Also, oil is often used for baking. Its aroma becomes much brighter and more pleasant. In addition, a small amount of oil can be filled and salad – both fruit and vegetable.
Remember that in cooking it is desirable to use only the oil that you have prepared yourself, wrung out the fruit by hand.
Caloric value
The caloric content of the fruit is only 36 kcal, so it could be consumed in any quantity, but since its flavor is specific, it is rarely eaten. And the oil used in cooking, like the peel, can not hurt the figure.
Nutrition information in 100 grams:
Proteins, Fats gr, gr Carbohydrates, Zola gr, gr Water gr Calories, kcal
0. 9 0. 2 8. 1 0. 5 85 36
Useful properties of bergamot
Composition and availability of nutrients
Bergamot has a pleasant aroma due to the presence of linalyl acetate and linalool in the composition. The chemical composition of bergamot is carbohydrates, water, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and a small amount of fat and protein. The main value is contained in the fruit furokumariny. It is a substance with a photosensitizing effect that promotes rapid skin pigmentation and helps to obtain an even tan.
In the peel of bergamot there are valuable essential oils used in the cosmetic and perfume industry, as well as in medicine. The oil contains bizabolen, limonen, bergapten, terpineol and nerol.
Useful and medicinal properties
Bergamot has antiseptic properties, is used as an antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal agent that has antispasmodic and sedative effect.
You can use bergamot oil in ARI, as an antipyretic medicine. With a cold and runny nose, the oil will help lower the temperature, cleanse the sinuses of the nose, and also relieve the inflammation of the nasopharynx.
Also, bergamot will strengthen the immune system with herpes, help with bronchopulmonary inflammatory processes and diseases of the genitourinary system. The oil normalizes blood pressure and cholesterol. It is used in the treatment of vitiligo and baldness.
Bergamot is also a part of various biologically active additives, which are recommended for improving immunity and improving health.
Tea with bergamot will help to cope with the emerging problems of the gastrointestinal tract, improve appetite, antiviral, disinfectant and antiseptic effect. Especially useful tea with bergamot in the treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. In addition, the drink has an antifungal effect.
