Description of the bergamot plant. Healing substances contained in fruits and leaves. What beneficial properties it has on the body and what harmful manifestations can be observed when it is abused. Bergamot recipes. In addition, the aroma and beneficial substances in the composition stimulate creativity, improve thinking, significantly increase concentration, raise self-esteem, and help develop communication skills. Eliminate headaches, as well as muscle tension.
Harm and contraindications of bergamot
The benefits of bergamot are great, but there are also restrictions on the use of the fruits of this plant and products from it.
In some cases, Citrus bergamia can harm the body. Consider the possible negative consequences of the application:
- Allergic reactions … The danger of bergamot, firstly, lies in the fact that it is a citrus plant, therefore, quite often it can cause allergic reactions of varying severity - itching, bronchospasm, etc.
- High blood pressure … The substances contained in the plant can increase blood pressure, so ingestion is contraindicated in case of problems with blood pressure.
- Having insomnia … Bergamot drinks and foods have a stimulating effect on the body, so it is not advisable to consume them before bedtime or if you have trouble falling asleep.
The undisputed contraindication of bergamot is the period of gestation. During illness, it is also advisable to refrain from using it, especially in the presence of vaginal bleeding, in cardiovascular diseases, in the presence of disorders in the thyroid gland and in diabetes.
Bergamot recipes
Most people, when they mention the word "bergamot", associate this product with tea. Many do not even think about what kind of additive it is. But those who have tasted this drink at least once will always recognize the aroma.
Despite the specific bitterness of the fruit, there are still recipes that make it possible to extract the greatest benefit from them and other parts of the plant. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with them:
- For salad dressing … Take the peel from one fruit and squeeze the juice out of it, which must be mixed with salt. Then, your favorite greens are added to this simple mixture in a chopped form. After a few minutes, this dressing can be added to many salads.
- For flavoring the jam … Prepared zest is added to the jam for flavoring and imparting a light tart taste. Peel off the ripe fruit and chop it. This is best done with a knife or hand grater. To prevent the taste of the jam from spoiling, the zest is added 5 minutes before the end of cooking or during cooling at the rate of 1 g per 200 ml of delicacy.
- For aromatizing wines … Fresh zest prepared in advance from a quarter of the bergamot peel is mixed with a small amount of sugar. This mixture is carefully diluted in a glass of wine, in which the fermentation process is completed. Then it is diluted in the remaining drink in the bottle. The infusion time is 3 days. The bottle must be sealed and placed in a dark place for this time. After insisting, the wine is filtered.
- Bergamot marmalade … Main ingredients: water, sugar (1-1, 2 kg), bergamot peel (5 fruits), lemon (1 fruit). The peel is carefully removed and cut into small cubes, filled with water and infused for 3 days. During this time, the water must be changed 4-5 times to allow the level of bitterness to be reduced. After that, it is poured with clean water, boiled and the liquid is drained. Sprinkle with sugar and boil again in a little water. The boiling process can be ended when the syrup droplets stop spreading, i.e. acquire the required density. Now it's time to add lemon juice. After thorough mixing, the mixture is poured into molds and left to acquire the desired density. Bergamot marmalade has a recipe for several days, but the aroma and taste of this delicacy leaves almost no one indifferent.
- Bergamot baked goods … For this, dried bergamot zest is used. It can be added to various doughs - yeast, shortbread, etc. Before adding the raw material, you can pre-fill with brandy or vodka - this will add a special piquancy to the dish.
- Bergamot jam … It will require 700-750 g of fruit, 600-625 g of sugar, 1 liter of pure water, 2 tsp. lemon liqueur, for example, "Limoncello", 2 g of sea salt. Washed and dried fruits are removed from the ends (the base at the stalk and the opposite tip), cut into 4 longitudinal parts and all seeds are removed. Next, the quarters are chopped with a sharp knife into thin plates, which are covered with sugar. Then add the rest of the ingredients, except for the liqueur, and boil after boiling over low heat. Cooking time - up to 40 minutes. After removing from the heat, add liqueur, mix and put it in clean jars, sterilized in advance. After complete cooling, it can be sealed with lids and placed in a cold place. The shelf life of such a product is approximately 6 months.
- Refreshing drink … For cooking, you need the following ingredients: green tea (1 tablespoon), bergamot leaves (1-2 tablespoons), lemon (3 fruits), sugar (2 tablespoons), water (1 liter). Preheat a porcelain teapot, add tea to it and pour the third part of hot boiled water, but not boiling, but slightly cooled. In a second teapot, use the same principle to brew bergamot leaves. After a short infusion, combine these two infusions. After the mixture has cooled, strain it and freeze it in special molds. Next, you should carefully squeeze the juice from the lemons and dilute the sugar in it. Then add the remaining boiled water. The prepared ice is cracked with a sharp knife and added to the lemonade, previously poured into glasses. Consumed chilled.
- Tonic drink … Pre-brewed black tea (10 g). Bergamot (50 g) is brewed in a separate bowl and infused for 20 minutes. After a specified period of time, both compositions are filtered and then mixed. You can enrich such a drink with honey and a slice of lemon. Consumed warm.
- Soothing drink … Base - 200 ml of warm water, additives - 5 ml of honey and 1 tbsp. bergamot juice. The frequency of admission is twice a day, and the duration of therapy is 7 days. Helps with nervous disorders.
Interesting facts about bergamot
Despite the fact that bergamot juice is less acidic than lemon juice, very few people will like it in its pure form, because it is more bitter than grapefruit juice. And, nevertheless, it is widely used in folk medicine to normalize digestion.
The beneficial properties of the described citrus are also used as part of biologically active agents. One of the brightest representatives of this category of products is Bergisterol - a drink containing juices of clementine, red orange, bergamot, carrot, black currant and agave nectar. Its main purpose is to normalize the work of the cardiovascular system.
It is almost impossible to buy fresh fruits in our stores, but this citrus can always be grown at home. It sprouts well from fresh seeds. In summer he likes intensive watering, and in winter - moderate. Requires sunlight, but does not tolerate dry air. It is a wonderful decoration for your home interior.
The fruits grown at home can be used to prepare the dishes and drinks described above, which will always ensure that guests are interested in their exotic taste.
Watch a video about bergamot:
The simplest ready-made bergamot product that anyone can afford is tea. It is present on the shelves of every grocery store. Look for the “Earl Gray” mark on the packages. Its preparation is no different from the method of brewing ordinary tea. But the positive effect produced on a person is beyond praise.
