Lemon Bergamot Pear
By: Anonymous

About

The Lemon Bergamot pear is small to medium in size. This lesser-known variety has green skin, white flesh and a delicious buttery flavour. It’s ideal for use in desserts and cooking. It is cultivated mostly in southern Italy, and is the flavoring used in Earl Grey Tea.

Information
Other names: Bergamot Orange
Translations: Lemon Bergamotes Bumbieru, Lemon bergamočių Kriaušė, Limun bergamot Kruška, Chanh Bergamot Pear, Gruszka Bergamot Lemon, नींबू Bergamot नाशपाती, Lemon Pear Bergamota, Лимон Бергамот Пэр, Λεμόνι Αχλάδι περγαμόντου, برغموت الليمون الكمثرى, 레몬 베르가못 배, Lemon Bergamot Hruška, Lemon bergamot Pear, Lemon Bergamot peras, 柠檬香梨, Llimona Pera Bergamota, Lemon bergamotko Pear, Lemon Bergamot Hruška, Lemon Bergamotto Pera, לימון אגס Bergamot, Лимун Бергамот Крушка, レモンベルガモットのペア, Poire Bergamote Citron, Lemon Bergamotte Pear, Lemon Bergamot Pære, Limón Pera Bergamota, Лимон Бергамот Пер, Lemon Bergamot Päärynä, Лимон бергамот Pear


Physical Description
The Bergamot Pear is a small to medium sized, yellow/orange skinned fruit with a strong acid flavor, and aromatic rind. It is cultivated mostly in southern Italy, and is the flavoring used in Earl Grey Tea.
Colors: Yellow, orange


Tasting Notes
Flavors: Sour, bitter, sweet
Mouthfeel: Fruity, Bitter
Food complements: Sugar, Honey
Wine complements: Dry wines
Beverage complements: Fruit teas
Substitutes: Pears and lemons


Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: march, april, may, june, july, august, september
Peak: may, june, july
Choosing: Choose ones that are fresh and fragrant, without blemishes.  Firm and not soft.  Not wrinkling of the skin or bruising.
Buying: Not widely available.  Try specialty stores, gourmet stores, and farmer's markets.  Order the seeds on line.
Procuring:
A bergamot tree is the crossing of a lemon tree and a bitter orange tree. The tree bares a pear shaped yellow fruit, smaller than an orange. 


Preparation and Use
This light, uplifting fragrance blends well with other essential oils. It is often used in the treatment of acne, abscesses, anxiety, boils, cold sores, cystitis, depression, halitosis, itching, loss of appetite, oily skin, psoriasis, and stress.  Use also to make marmalade and syrup.
Cleaning: Wash outside well with clean water.  Dry thoroughly.


Conserving and Storing
Store in refrigerator unopened for longest life.  If cut up, store in container with tightly fitted lid in the refrigerator.


Social/Political
The bergamot pear, is a popular winter pear cultivated in Britain since the time of the Romans, and is also grown in Italy and the US.
History: Grown for centuries in Europe and prized for its oil, particularly for used in fragrances.