Bergamot is a very popular fruit in Italy with a slightly bitter taste and an incredibly light, fragrant zest. It is best known for its bold citrus flavor, which is also very sweet. Bergamot gives Earl Grey tea it’s unique flavor. Because Bergamot oranges are only available during the Fall and Winter, they are very popular for unique and delicious jam recipes.
Bergamot jam is a popular spread in Italian cuisine and Giannetti Artisans Calabrese Bergamot Jam is a Certified Italian Product – Made with all Bio/Organic Ingredients.
What is a Bergamot Fruit?
A Bergamot Orange also known as a bergamot fruit is a citrus fruit the same size as an Orange. It can either be green or yellow, depending on how ripe the fruit it is. The Bergamot orange is known for its health benefits such as lowering high levels of cholesterol.
Bergamot is the most used in Italy for its citrus flavoring abilities. It is found in oils, puddings, condiments, and of course, unique jam recipes.
Bergamot Jam Recipe
Makes 4-5 cups of jam
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Bergamot Oranges (about 7-8 oranges)
- 3 cups of sugar
- 2 lemons
- 5 1/2 cups water
Directions:
Cut the stems off the oranges and slice them in halves, removing the seeds. Remove the skins and dice into tiny pieces, or puree (pending on your preference for the jam’s texture).
Cut the lemons in half and squeeze/juice the lemons, discarding any seeds, and set aside.
In a large pot with a heavy bottom, add the oranges, the lemon juice, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil using high heat. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 min, stirring often so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Remove it from the heat. To test if the jam is ready, place a small spoonful in a dish and place it in the freezer for 1-1/2 minutes. Take it out of the freezer and tilt the bowl slightly. If the jam shows “wrinkles” on the top, it’s done.
If it doesn’t, simmer the pot for a few more minutes and re-test.
Once the mixture is ready, stir in the water slowly and immediately put in jam jars. Let the jam sit for 1-2 hours at room temperature and then place and store in refrigerator.
