bergamot

[cupcakequeen]

can you get fresh bergamot fruit in the u.s.? more specifically, can you get them in seattle or order them online? will it cost me an arm and a leg?

[docsconz]

I got them last year online from Rising C Ranch.. While not cheap, they are no more exxpensive than their other fruit and of very high quality. Their heirloom navels, cara caras and sicilian blood oranges are particularly good.

[pupcart]

Bergamot is a citrus fruit? I had to Google "bergamot" to learn that much - and now I am really curious. Cupcake and docsonz, do you peel it and eat it fresh, or use it in some other manner?

Mmmm, I wonder what Bergamot Marmalade would taste like...? I am going to have to try it for myself, and invent from there. Reading egullet is very educational - should be required eating, er reading. Perhaps then we could base the WASL on the truly important Questions of Life.

[cupcakequeen]

bergamot marmalade is lovely. i have a recipe for a tart, similar to a lemon tart.

thanks for the heads up. i've never had a fresh cara cara either. i'll have to check them out.

[tsquare]

  i've never had a fresh cara cara either. 

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Cara Cara are available at Pike Place Market - Franks and Sosios to start, in season...I asked Frank about Bergamont last year - they don't sell, so they don't stock. Keep asking and it might change. I believe trillium finds them in Portland...search for the thread came up empty.

"A bitter orange hybrid is the Bergamot orange, which is a cross between a bitter orange and the Palestine sweet lime, and, according to some, should have been named the bergamont lemon. "

[highchef]

Bergamot is the flavor in Earl Grey tea. It can be bought as an essence, and added 'whenever'. There should be no reason for not using the essential oil for flavor, it is what it is.

[rockdoggydog]

can you get fresh bergamot fruit in the u.s.?  more specifically, can you get them in seattle or order them online?  will it cost me an arm and a leg?

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I've heard through the grapevine that they were available last January at Whole Paycheck mislabeled as Seville Oranges.

Rocky

[ScorchedPalate]

Me, I'm the grapevine.

I bought them at the Bellevue Whole Foods last January, used the juice to make Friday After Five cocktails and cochinita pibil, and the zest to make bergamocello. Mmm, can't wait for this years (bigger) batch... I have a line on a place in SF that sells wholesale quantities, but they won't be in season yet for a while.

Whatcha gonna do with them, CQ?

~A

Edited October 21, 2005 by ScorchedPalate (log)

[trillium]

I buy them at New Seasons here in Portland, but they won't be in season for a while yet.

GreenLeaf, a wholesaler in SF, might be able to tell you who they ship to in Seattle.

For the curious, here is a thread in the Italian forum I started a couple of years ago. Some non-sweet ideas are in there.

Elizabeth Montes, proprietor of Sahagún Chocolate Shop (10 NW 16th Ave., 503 274-7065) does wonderful things with the candied peel in her chocolates. Check her out when you're in Portland (I think she might start mail-ordering too).

I'd be happy to mail some off to Seattle once the season arrives if you can't find them more locally.

regards,

trillium

[cupcakequeen]

Me, I'm the grapevine.

I bought them at the Bellevue Whole Foods last January, used the juice to make Friday After Five cocktails and cochinita pibil, and the zest to make bergamocello. Mmm, can't wait for this years (bigger) batch... I have a line on a place in SF that sells wholesale quantities, but they won't be in season yet for a while.

Whatcha gonna do with them, CQ?

~A

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bergamocello sounds amazing! i'm tired of the usual winter citrus fruits and looking for something new.... candied peel sounds great (thanks for the heads-up on the chocolate maker). a tart based on a lemon curd-type recipe. confit. gelee. panna cotta?....i'd just like to experiment.

[Abra]

I love bergamot in Earl Grey, and have never seen them fresh. When will they be in season?

[ScorchedPalate]

Late december through mid-February is typical, but this year's weather has been a little bizarre.

I just found this SF Gate article from last year

[Abra]

Thanks for the link, Anita! Now to get some bergamots and try out those yummy-looking recipes.

[dandelion]

Has anyone seen them yet this winter?

[Abra]

No, but I did buy some bergamot preserves in a jar from George's Bakery. I haven't tried it out yet.

[ScorchedPalate]

They're in season here in SF. If anyone sees them in Seattle, let me know. I have a friend (who -gasp- doesn't read eG) who is begging me to ship him a case from California, which seems a bit drastic.

~A

[RandyB]

I was introduced to bergamot by Jacques Genin, the elusive French chocolatier who supplies some of the finest restaurants in Paris, but doesn't sell retail. I had never heard of it before, and didn't particularly like it in the chocolate.

Now that I see here the connection between bergamot and Earl Grey tea, I understand. I've never liked EG tea, either.

[SushiCat]

Any Bergamot in Seattle area these days? I'm coming down this weekend and would not only love to get some, but would then have to be cooking Sat night instead of eating!

Let me know if you have sighted them lately, I would travel to some ends of the earth for one (well some).

Ta