Bergamot

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1979
By Rosemary Silverman 
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Apart from Its beauty, the aromatic herb functions as a drawing card for bees and hummingbirds and is a good companion plant for tomatoes. What's more, a leaf or two-tucked in a hat or pocket—will help repel pesky mosquitoes and gnats.

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When harvested, bergamot is excellent for potpourri and dried flower arrangements ... makes a great garnish In wine cups and fruit punch ... adds zing to lemonade and apple jelly ... and can be used to flavor salads as well.

A VERY TASTY TEA

However, it's as a tea that the perennial excels, although—despite its membership in the mint family—the taste Is quite unlike that of Its commoner kin. (Both leaves and flowers can be used:

Just strip them from the stems and dry them in the warm shade for two or three days.)

The American Shakers reserved bergamot for colds and sore throats, and some herbalists claim that the herb acts as a sedative for "nervous complaints" and a tonic for depression.

During the American Revolution, bergamot tea was the most popular substitute for the unpatriotic English brew. However, the native American plant was exported to England in the mid17Ws, where it's still served under the name of "Gold Melissa". And, not long after my family and I discovered our free supply, we happened to buy a tin of expensive English breakfast tea ... only to open the lid and find ourselves assailed by a disturbingly familiar aroma: The costly brew consisted of bergamot mixed with black tea leaves!

Should the day come when we put our house up for sale, we'll be quick to point out to prospective buyers that they're getting a real "extra": no mere swimming pool, fireplace, or two car garage ... but a goodly stand of priceless bergamot!

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