We get acquainted with the beneficial properties of bergamot: description, essential oil, application. Original salad "Anthill" with sausage and corn

At the mention of this plant, incidents sometimes happen. What is bergamot good for? Tea "Ahmad" with such an additive is widely known, and many people think that the famous pear variety gives it a special aroma. Sometimes the plant is confused with a similar fragrant herb monarda. However, it is neither one nor the other.

What is bergamot

We can say that this is a kind of orange. However, such a statement would not be entirely accurate. What is bergamot from a botanical point of view? It is a hybrid of citron (lemon) and orange (the middle between tangerine and pomelo). The ancient Chinese bred bergamot by crossing. There is another version, according to which this is not a hybrid, but a form of natural orange mutation.

So bergamot - what is it? First, it is an evergreen tree. Secondly, it is a citrus belonging to the rue family. Lovers of oranges, tangerines, lemons should be disappointed by the fact that bergamot fruits are ... inedible. Their taste is too sour and bitter. True, candied fruits, syrups, liqueurs are made from ripe fruits. The main purpose of the fruit is the production of essential oil.

What does bergamot look like

A tree 2-3 m high is a young bergamot. The height of the "old-timer" is 5-6, or even 10 m. What does bergamot look like? It has a spreading crown, thorny shoots directed upwards at an acute angle from the trunk. The leaves are fragrant, especially when rubbed lightly. When the trees bloom, they give off an intoxicatingly pleasant bergamot scent. The fruits are yellow-green, similar to lemons.

Where does bergamot grow

It is believed that Italian merchants brought this fruit to Europe. How does bergamot grow? Plantations, the first of which were discovered in the south of Italy, in the vicinity of the city of Bergamo - hence the name of this plant. Here and today the industry for its cultivation is flourishing. In addition, citrus exot is cultivated in India, China, Spain, France, the Crimea and the Caucasus. Bergamot can grow both in the garden and as a houseplant.

Why bergamot is useful

The plant has a whole "bouquet" of advantages. The beneficial properties of bergamot are truly diverse. Citrus is capable of:

• destroy bacterial, viral, fungal infections;
• heal wounds;
• strengthen immunity;
• relax, remove from stress;
• normalize, anesthetize menstrual cycles;
• improve the functioning of the digestive, genitourinary systems;
• lower blood pressure;
• regulate blood cholesterol levels;
• increase the activity of the brain;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• stimulate sex drive;
• improve the condition of the skin.

Bergamot oil

Fresh goods can be distinguished by their greenish-yellow color and an exceptionally pleasant sweetish aroma of a light substance. With long-term storage, the product acquires a brownish tint, and bitter notes appear in the smell. The beneficial properties of bergamot are largely manifested depending on the method of production of the essential oil. The best varieties are obtained from the peel of unripe fruits by cold pressing. Bergamot essential oil is used as a tea flavoring agent, a remedy and an ingredient in perfumery products.

Sometimes you can find references to orange lavender. This is also called bergamot oil. The reason for this is the presence in the composition of the ingredients also contained in lavender extract. According to some sources, there are more than 200 active substances in the essential oil, and according to others - about 500 active substances. The main ones are terpenoid esters, the presence of which explains the beneficial properties of the product.

To avoid allergic reactions, the product must not be used in a concentrated form. Before using for medicinal purposes, it should be added to a base oil, for example, vaseline oil (1:10). Do not drink tea by dripping citrus ether into a cup. This oil is used to flavor only dry tea leaves (1 drop per pack). Before the first use, it is imperative to do a skin test.

Bergamot tea during pregnancy

Such a drink will help the expectant mother to relieve excessive nervousness and anxiety. However, the tea does not have to be very strong. You should not drink more than 3 cups daily, especially before bed. In the early stages of gestation, it is better to refrain from such tea. Among the strict contraindications are allergies, epilepsy. Bergamot during pregnancy can harm:

• with the threat of miscarriage;
• with severe pathologies of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver;
• with hormonal disruptions.

Bergamot is a plant of the Rutaceae family. This is a very numerous family: it contains trees, shrubs, and herbs, and they have one property in common - they have a lot of essential oils.

Citrus fruits, which include bergamot, are also a subfamily of rutaceae. Bergamot does not grow in nature - it is believed that it was bred by humans. However, there is no exact information about this: it is assumed that it happened in China, but when it happened, scientists do not know for sure. There is another version, very interesting: bergamot is not a hybrid - its appearance is caused by an orange mutation.

In Europe, bergamot began to be grown in Italy - in the province of Calabria. The name of the fruit, according to one version, comes from the name of the city of Bergamo - not far from this city were established bergamot plantations, and at one time it was even called "Bergamo orange". It is believed that French perfumers were the first to learn to use bergamot, wishing to give the perfume a lively aroma. According to other sources, bergamot was first used in Italy, creating a cologne on the basis of its essential oil, and this happened back in the XIV century, in one of the Florentine monasteries. The secret of making "aqua regina" - "royal water", until the second half of the 17th century, no one could learn, although many tried. And only a pharmacist from Cologne managed to do this, so today most people think that cologne - "Eau De Cologne", "Cologne water" - really first appeared in this city.

As you can see, the history of bergamot in human society began with its use in the production of perfumery - an area where it is successfully used today. Rather, bergamot oil is used in perfumery and cosmetology, and very widely. In southern Italy, bergamot is still grown: it grows beautifully there, because it loves warmth and humidity. Other regions where it also grows, albeit in somewhat smaller quantities, are China, India, the countries of the Black Sea coast, the Caucasus. The bergamot tree can reach 10 meters in height and its branches are thorny; but when a tree is in bloom, its flowers are very beautiful, and their smell is just wonderful. The tree bears fruit from early autumn to winter, like many citrus fruits, and the cut bergamot fruit looks like a lemon or orange. I must say that bergamot is most often grown precisely to obtain essential oil: it is obtained not only from the peel of the fruit, but also from the flowers, leaves and even young shoots of the plant.

Bergamot has medicinal properties and is therefore used in medicine. In those days, when there were no antibiotics, it was used as an antiseptic: a balm was prepared from it, which is good for treating skin infections and inflammations. Even with serious wounds, the bergamot fruit was used: it was cut and applied to the damaged area. Until now, bergamot is used in the treatment of viral and colds, to strengthen the immune system and improve sexual function. Bargamot relieves spasms and soothes, improves digestion; tea with bergamot, which is loved by many, helps to cleanse the skin and fade age spots, tones and reduces enlarged pores. Fragrant, slightly spicy tea with bergamot has a special, exquisite and delicate taste, helps relieve fatigue, get rid of stress and the effects of tension.

The most commonly used essential oil is bergamot, which can be easily extracted. If you squeeze the peel of the bergamot with your hands, you can already get the oil - a light emerald green. The aroma of bergamot oil is amazing: it is floral, and hints of lemon and orange are felt in it, but not sour, but sweet and fragrant. The best quality oil is just the one that is squeezed by hand: if you squeeze the peel of a thousand fruits, you get about 900 ml of oil. Bergamot oil is used to treat skin infections and acne, when caring for oily skin of the face and scalp, to relieve irritation after insect bites - it helps relieve stress from the skin.

In the perfumery industry, bergamot oil is used together with rosemary, orange, and neroli oils: perfume and cologne manufacturers love the fruity-floral aroma of this green fruit. The scent of this perfume invigorates and refreshes, improves mood and helps maintain a balance between calm and arousal, as it has a beneficial effect on the hypothalamus, which is responsible for emotions.

The bergamot fruit tastes rather tasteless - it is sour-bitter, so it did not take root in cooking, but in those countries where it grows, marmalade is made from it or candied fruits are cooked from it. Bergamot is unpretentious, and it can be grown in a room, like a lemon or an orange, especially since its appearance can decorate any interior. The plant is not as demanding on the soil as other citrus fruits, and is more resistant to dryness, but loves light and moisture. In the summer, it is better to take the bergamot out into the air, and in the winter to keep it in the sun, but it should not be too hot in the room.

In summer, the plant is watered abundantly, and in winter, little by little, with warm water. With regular feeding and proper crown formation, the plant will bear fruit, like other citrus fruits, from 1 to 4 times a year.

Most often, when a person hears about bergamot, it causes him to associate with tea. However, few people know what this plant is. Bergamot belongs to a large family of rue plants that includes many trees, grasses and shrubs. All root trees have one common quality - they contain large quantities of essential oils.

Bergamot belongs to a large family of rue plants

Origin story

Bergamot is a citrus plant, sometimes called bergamot orange.

Interestingly, the history of the origin of this citrus contains some inaccurate points. It is officially believed that such a tree did not exist in nature; it was bred by crossing a bitter type of orange and lemon. But some skeptics speculate that this citrus is the result of an orange mutation.

The first plants of this species were bred in China many years ago, but when exactly this was, it also remains an unknown part of history. In Europe, bergamot first appeared in the Italian city of Bergamo, hence the name of this tree. And according to another version, the plant got this name because of its appearance, as it looks like bergamot, or rather its fruit, almost exactly like a pear, so in translation from Turkish it is called "master's pear".

The tree can reach 10 meters in height. Bergamot is very fond of a warm climate, sun and moisture, it feels best in subtropical conditions. Currently, this citrus is bred in India, China, in the Caucasus, but the most numerous and high-quality plantations in terms of their fruits are located in Italy.

All branches of the tree are covered with thorns, and during flowering fragrant and beautiful flowers dot it. Bergamot begins to bear fruit in the fall, the fruits resemble a pear-shaped orange, yellowish in color. In the section, as in other citruses, segments are clearly visible, easily separable from each other. The taste of bergamot orange is bitter-sour; it is not suitable for consumption, but more suitable for making candied fruits.

Bitter-sour orange-bergamot taste

What is made from bergamot

As a rule, the pulp itself is not used, except in the preparation of marmalade and candied fruits. The value of the bergamot fruit lies in its peel, from which the essential oil is isolated. The liquid is obtained during the cold pressing of the peel by hand. Although we have tried to do it mechanically many times, the best quality oil is still obtained in the process of manual processing. In addition, flowers, leaves and young branches give the essential oil.

Bergamot is known to a wide circle of connoisseurs precisely for its characteristic refreshing aroma, which is added to the production of tea and sweets. The beneficial properties of essential oil are used in the production of perfumery and cosmetic products.

Bergamot is widely used for medicinal purposes, for example, its dried rind is an excellent aromatherapy treatment for depression.

From the juice of the fruit, a medicine is produced that is used in traditional medicine to treat various digestive disorders and malaria.

Of course, the fruits of this wonderful plant are also used in the field of culinary: in the countries of its growth, jams are made from it. It is widely known that the crushed rind is added to the Lady Gray and Earl Gray teas. In addition, the zest is used in the preparation of syrups, liqueurs, confectionery.

Essential oil is isolated from the peel of bergamot

Useful qualities

Essential bergamot oil - the most important component of the zest - contains large amounts of alpha and beta pinenes, limonene, and many other substances. The beneficial properties of this product are not limited to the ability to flavor tea and perfumes. Bergamot is an effective antidepressant and stimulant. It helps with existing circulatory problems, dilates blood vessels, gives the body strength and tone. Bergamot has a stimulating effect on the digestive organs, participates in the assimilation of sugar, normalizes its content in the blood, lowers cholesterol. Tea drinking with sweet fruit pulp jam is a good preventive measure for people suffering from heart disease.

Bergamot is considered an effective antiseptic, due to which it successfully destroys various disease-causing organisms. During the flu or other acute respiratory viral infections, it helps to cope with high fever.

The beneficial properties of this citrus plant do not end there - the oil is recognized as a natural antibiotic and is widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases of the rectum, organs of the genitourinary system and kidneys. Essential oil has a stimulating effect on the metabolic process, increases perspiration - these qualities are valuable for people with high fever and overweight.

Some of the ingredients in the oil make it an excellent pain reliever, so it can be used as an effective analgesic for headaches, fractures or sprains.

In addition, bergamot oil is known as a sedative used in aromatherapy. It successfully fights depression and lack of appetite. The disinfecting and antiseptic properties of the plant are used in the treatment of external wounds and cuts.

Bergamot is one of the main components in the composition of perfumes. Oil in its pure form is used to treat dandruff and psoriatic disease, diluting it with a liquid for the oral cavity, eliminate unpleasant odor.

Useful properties of bergamot oil:

• calming and antispasmodic effect;
• increasing the body's defenses;
• improving digestion;
• antiseptic, antidepressant and aphrodisiac;
• tonic effect, increased communication skills;
• anti-inflammatory and antifungal action;
• antipyretic and antihistamine.

Bergamot oil is recognized as a natural antibiotic and is widely used for medicinal purposes.

Application

The fields of application of bergamot products are quite extensive.

Perfumery

Bergamot essential oil is often included in perfumery along with other oils such as rosemary and orange. Bergamot has a delicate, refreshing, floral scent that attracts perfume and cologne manufacturers. The scent of such perfumes not only adds a special charm to its owner, but also has a beneficial effect on the overall well-being, at the same time invigorating and soothing.

Psycho-emotional sphere

The oil helps to cope with emotional disorders, fights various fears, depression and despondency. Bergamot helps a person increase self-esteem and feel the joy of life. In psychology, oil is used to increase communication skills, improve creative thinking and performance. Bergamot tones and invigorates, so its aroma oil can be used in shower gel for those people who find it difficult to recover in the morning.

Cosmetology

The bergamot plant is an anti-inflammatory and normalizing agent, thanks to these qualities, the aroma oil produced from it effectively cares for oily and problem skin, restores the work of the sebaceous glands, and fights against fungal diseases. The oil is often used as a massage agent and in various creams.

Bergamot oil is often used as a massage agent

The medicine

The most appreciated is the effectiveness of this citrus in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system, dermatological diseases and depression.

The oil is used for cystitis, and early use helps prevent the spread of infection through the urinary tract. Often, cystitis brings a person not only physical suffering, but also depression and a constant feeling of anxiety. In this state, the attacks of the disease can be repeated and the person finds himself in a vicious circle. The use of many essential oils can bring relief, but it is bergamot that can improve not only the physical, but also the emotional state of the patient.

The aroma of the oil is considered to be an excellent aromatherapy agent. It effectively lifts the mood without overexciting the person. For people in a depressed state, suffering from depression, the use of oil in the form of a massage agent is shown, since in this state tactile sensations are important.

Tea, which contains bergamot, is an excellent antipyretic and tonic.

Tea, which contains bergamot, is an excellent antipyretic and tonic

Bergamot is a very popular tea supplement, however, although it is loved, not everyone knows what this plant is. And it may be one of the representatives of several families at once. For example, in the 19th century, they began to call the North American herb - monarda bergamot.

The real bergamot is now considered a subtropical citrus tree belonging to the orange subspecies. Its fruits are not edible, they resemble pears in shape. Both are essential oil plants and are prized for that, but real bergamot tea contains oil concentrated in the peel, flowers and foliage of the bergamot citrus.

In addition to this, the name “bergamot” has also been assigned to a number of pear varieties, the fruits of which, in turn, resemble bergamot ones. Let's dwell in more detail on the first 2 plants:

Bergamot species

(garden bergamot ) is a member of the family of lamellar (labiate). Among the annual and perennial rhizome grasses, there are those reaching a height of 1.5 meters, the stems are straight branching, the foliage is a simple oblong-lanceolate toothed.

The smell of monarda is very similar to that of bergamot (exuded by the leaves), its wonderful taste is used by culinary specialists around the world, for example, in the preparation of vermouth. Interestingly, even dried foliage retains its aromatic qualities for a long time.

Flowers also have a pleasant smell; moreover, they look very decorative. When flowering occurs, the garden is illuminated by white, yellow, red, purple, lilac, pink and even speckled flower petals in dense inflorescences about 7 cm in diameter. In some varieties of monarda, the structure of flowers is 2-tiered.

This is a hybrid from the root family. Citrus bergamot is not found anywhere in natural conditions, since it is the result of the efforts of a person who crossed an orange and a citron. In general, it is an evergreen tree, towering 2-10 meters above the ground level. On the branches there are long (up to 10 cm), thin, sharp spines mixed with leathery ovoid-oblong pointed shiny green leaves.

The aroma of the flowers is very rich, despite the fact that they themselves are dimensional and have a white or purple color. Fruits with pear-shaped outlines on the outside are characterized by a thick 3-layer shell, and on the inside there is an easily split pulp with sparse seeds.

When ripe (November-December) they have a delicious sour taste. Bergamot orange is massively grown on plantations located in the Italian province of Calabria, as well as in Argentina, Brazil and the US state of Georgia.

Bergamot planting and care in the open field

Bearing in mind that citrus fruits are so southern plants that they cannot develop without large amounts of heat and light, in our conditions it remains to limit ourselves to choosing a monarda. Its relative unpretentiousness and winter hardiness only contributes to this.

For planting garden bergamot, you can distinguish both a well-lit area and a semi-shaded area. The latter option has one advantage, which will be discussed later, although there is also a disadvantage, which manifests itself in a decrease in the intensity of the smell. Growing up, monards form long blooming clumps, for which there should be enough space - the distance between the rows is maintained in the range of 60-70 cm.

Watering is especially necessary in a dry hot season, in an open area. Performing this procedure regularly will prevent powdery mildew from infesting the plant.

Blueberries also have many health benefits and are used both raw and in various dishes. It is grown when planting and nursing in the open field, without much hassle, subject to all the rules of agricultural technology. All the necessary recommendations can be found in this article.

Bergamot soil

There are no special requirements for the soil, but it is preferable to use light calcareous ones. On heavy marshy and acidic soils, the monarda does not grow, and it hardly tolerates heavy ones.

Bergamot transplant

Bergamot lives well on a permanent site for 5-7 years, if the rules of care and planting are followed. The need to transplant it is evidenced by reduced leaf plates and thinned bushes. When performing a transplant, the bottom of the pit is pre-filled with organic matter in combination with sand and garden soil.

The preparation of the seat should begin in the fall. Mandatory preparatory procedures include digging, cleaning weeds, fertilizing (manure in the amount of 2-3 kg per square meter, peat or compost, superphosphate - 40-50 grams and potassium salt - 20-30 grams).

Sour soil should be calcified (40 grams of lime per square meter). Spring is the time for fertilizing the soil with nitrogen fertilizer (20-30 grams per square meter).

Pruning bergamot

With the timely removal of wilted inflorescences, you can significantly extend the flowering period and maintain a high level of decorative plants.

In varieties that are prone to lesions with powdery mildew, it is recommended to shorten the shoots to the root.

Bergamot bloom

Bergamot blooms for quite a long time, which cannot but please many useful garden dwellers, since it is an excellent honey plant.

The growing season of the plant begins in March, mass flowering occurs in early July, the seeds are formed in August. The total duration of the growing season is 170-180 days.

The culture is distinguished by frost resistance. At the same time, decorativeness is preserved in already faded heads with seeds in winter.

Garden bergamot growing from seeds

Most of the monarda seeds are formed in the first whorl, starting from the base. They do not have a dormant period. Sowing in open ground should be done in May, deepening 1-2 cm into the soil.

The normal seeding volume is 0.5 grams per square meter, it can be evenly distributed by mixing the seeds with sand. The optimum temperature for germination is 20 ℃.

At first, the seedlings grow slowly, so they need weeding out of the weeds. Further, the seedlings should be thinned out - by 10 cm, then by 20 cm. Flowering will begin from the second year.

Diseases and pests

Standard perennial monard species are not resistant to powdery mildew, in addition, they are often affected by rust and the tobacco mosaic virus. Providing assistance to plants is primarily to ensure favorable growing conditions.

The more often moisture enters the soil, the less likely the occurrence of the above diseases, but it is important to ensure that it does not fall on the foliage. Additional measures already mentioned in the course of the article are mulching and top dressing (you should not be too zealous with nitrogen).

The monarda itself is generally characterized by resistance to many of the pests living in the earth due to the content of essential oil in the roots.

Bergamot beneficial properties and contraindications

The healing power of bergamot lies in its essential oil, which has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. In the treatment of bronchitis, radiation sickness and salmonellosis, the oil of Monarda Pifata is best of all, and the citrus bergamot oil added to tea contributes to the body's self-healing after chemotherapy.

Many have heard about the beneficial properties of black and green teas with bergamot, and they are clearly not deprived of taste. Both types of tea have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, and after taking them in the morning, you immediately feel a pleasant "briskness", the mood rises.

In addition, green definitely promotes relaxation and stress relief, creates a tonic effect on a hot day. The positive properties of bergamot teas also include the improvement of the digestive tract - the citrus component inhibits the binding of food, stimulated by plain black tea, and increases peristalsis.

Thanks to this, not only one of the main disadvantages of black tea is eliminated - a pronounced contribution to the formation of constipation, but also it becomes possible to completely get rid of them. Brewed in small quantities, bergamot tea drink normalizes blood pressure and promotes the elimination of cholesterol from the blood, thereby benefiting the cardiovascular system and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

This is one of the few foods shown to nursing mothers (in moderation, of course) as it improves lactation properties. As a natural antioxidant, bergamot is involved in removing toxins and neutralizing the effects of free radicals.

Bergamot contraindications

However, there are negative aspects to consider, especially green tea. Some even advise to use only black, due to the fact that green tends to relax the body and lower libido.

Another feature of green tea that is clearly not about the benefits is the increased content of caffeine in it.

Despite the high degree of demand in the preparation of various drinks in other culinary fields, bergamot is rather an unexpected guest. Although this dish, which contains it, does not become less tasty.

These include plum jam with thyme and bergamot, the preparation of which will require:

• 1 kg pitted black plums,
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 tablespoons of salt
• 400 grams of brown sugar
• 100 ml balsamic vinegar
• stem of lemon thyme,
• 2 tablespoons pink peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• one and a half tablespoons of agar-agar,
• 3 bergamot leaves.

Grind the plum pulp in a blender until puree is obtained, crush the garlic in a garlic bowl and add to the puree. Then add salt, sugar, vinegar, thyme and bergamot. We put the received one for an hour and a half in an oven heated to 150 ℃.

After the specified period, we take out the jam, add peppers and paprika to it and again send it to the oven, now for 15 minutes. Now is the time to dilute the agar agar following the instructions and add to the jam after taking it out of the oven. Mix the finished jam and pour it into jars.

Bergamot-based medicinal infusion is prepared from:

• 100 grams of citrus pulp,
• 300 ml of heated water.

You need to infuse the concentrate for 4 hours, then strain it. This will give you a daily dose of an antiscorbutic, vitaminizing agent for 2 times a day after meals (usually taken together with 2 teaspoons of honey).

To prepare bergamot tincture you will need:

• fresh citrus peel (50 grams),
• 70% alcohol (100 ml).

The mixture should be infused for 10 days in a heated room. After straining it can be taken a teaspoon twice a day before meals (half an hour) as an appetite stimulant.

In general, it is not at all necessary to constantly purchase bergamot tea in the market.

There are homemade recipes for this drink, and here is one of them - for summer, refreshing tea in the heat:

• green tea (pinch);
• bergamot (20 grams);
• lemon (3 pieces);
• sugar (40 grams);
• water (1 liter).

Pour green tea into a teapot, previously scalded with boiling water. Separately steam the bergamot foliage in a ceramic dish. Letting the tea brew, mix it with the same infused bergamot.

We are waiting for all this to cool, filter, pour into molds and place in the freezer. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon, mix it in sugar with water. Splash the ice, pour it into glasses with lemon water. Drink cold!

Black tea with bergamot

Another recipe for bergamot tea, now for winter, toning, strengthening the body, helping to fight colds, is given below:

• black tea (2 teaspoons);
• dry bergamot (1/4 cup).

We heat the teapot in advance, pour the tea into it and fill it with 2/3 of boiling water. Again, brew bergamot separately and leave for 20 minutes.

We mix both infusions by pouring bergamot into tea. Ready! The drink will be even tastier if honey is added to it.

When giving birth in a store and looking at many boxes, people often wonder: is bergamot in tea good or bad for the body? And how to prepare the drink?

Bergamot is a pear-shaped fruit from the citrus family. It is grown in many countries - such as Italy and Algeria, Argentina and Tunisia, Brazil and Turkey. Whole plantations can be found in some Asian regions. Green or yellow fruit oil is often used for medicinal and dietary purposes.

Classic bergamot tea is a combination of black tea and bergamot extract. It is better known to amateurs under the name Earl Gray. Other leaves, such as green tea, can be added to the infusion. The amount of caffeine in the drink most often depends on this. And in the manufacture of wild bergamot is used - a plant called monarda.

Types of tea with bergamot

The popularity of Earl Gray has contributed to the creation of its varieties. Here are just a few of them:

• Russian Earl Gray - a classic with the addition of pieces of citrus peel;
• Lady Gray - classic tea with cornflower flowers;
• French Earl Gray - with rose petals;
• Earl Gray Green - green tea with bergamot;
• Earl Gray White - similar to the previous one, only the leaves are used for white tea.

Some manufacturers offer their products with beautiful names - for example, Mademoiselle Gray or Lord Gray. But the essence remains the same - various spices, dried flower petals or other ingredients are simply added to classic tea.

Some cafes also offer a drink called "London Fog". This is a classic Earl Gray, but added milk and vanilla extract during preparation.

Useful properties of tea

Benefits of using:

• Calming effect. A 2007 study showed that drinking this drink reduced the incidence of seasonal mental disorders.
• Antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help prevent age-related changes in cells and maintain youthfulness. It has been proven that 100 grams of this drink contains more than 40,000 antioxidants.
• Improving digestion. Drinking tea allows you to get rid of debilitating nausea and frequent indigestion, so American scientists back in 2009 suggested prescribing the extract to patients with complaints of digestive problems. That is why people with such ailments are advised not to go to the pharmacy, but to brew tea with bergamot.
• Antibacterial action. Research in 2007 revealed that the extract of this plant is a potent antimicrobial agent. Herbal medicine lovers now recommend bergamot tea to get rid of urinary tract infections and when a fungus appears, although the mechanism of its action in this direction is not well understood.

Bergamot tea contraindications

In moderate doses, Earl Gray is safe and beneficial for many people, but in large amounts, it causes side effects. They are similar to those of black tea. but bergamot extract also works in its own way. Possible problems from him are as follows:

• Effects of caffeine. Earl Gray, like other teas, contains caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. 5 cups a day will be enough, but if you drink more, excessive amounts of caffeine will begin to affect the body. A person experiences anxiety, his heart rate increases, tremors and insomnia are observed, you can get addicted to caffeine and all the delights of withdrawal.
• Iron deficiency. The drink contains tannins and gallic acid - all of these compounds slow down the absorption of non-heme iron obtained from plant products (beans and lettuce).

According to nutritionists, drinking bergamot tea can cause the level of absorbed iron to decrease by 75%. Please note that the number depends on the brand and strength. To avoid subsequent deficiencies, it is drunk between meals rather than during meals.

Rules for brewing tea with bergamot

Making Earl Gray is easy - you just need a little tea leaves and hot water. The drink is made directly in the teapot.

One teaspoon of tea leaves is enough for a regular cup. Pour boiling water over it and let it brew for 4-5 minutes, then remove unnecessary leaves. You can add not only sugar to this tea, but also a slice of lemon and a few drops of milk. And then your Earl Gray will go well with candy and cakes.