Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 11 - Bergamot

Bergamot? What is that? Obviously, having never heard of this before, I do not have high hopes that it is native to the Northeastern United States. Let's see what we can find...

Well, it seems that it is a "sweet lemon" that grows near Bergamo in Northern Italy. Although the fruit is inedible, the essential oil is used to give Earl Gray tea its distinctive flavor. If you are to use this in your tea blend, you will probably need to find a supplier of essential oil.

Is there a suitable substitute for this? I see references to "sweet lemon" or "sour orange", so would it be possible to use a combination of regular oranges and lemons? That would be some thing to experiment with.

Interestingly, Bergamot is phototoxic so you should avoid massaging it into your skin if you are going out into strong sunlight. It has a long history of being used in potpourri and perfume recipes.

Herbal Teas on the Cheap: Part 2 - Found Recipes

Searching the Internet, I found some recipes for herbal tea blends at Straight From the Farm :



We will look at each ingredient is more depth in following posts, and perhaps come up with some blends of our own.

HERBAL TEA RECIPES
Created by Straight from the Farm

Floral Fantasy Tea
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Chamomile
1 part Stevia


Spiced Anise Tea
4 parts Anise Hyssop
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Vanilla Bean
1 part Cloves


Devoted Remembrance Tea
3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Lavender
3 parts Marjoram
2 parts Anise Hyssop


Dark Rose Tea
2 parts Rose Hips
3 parts Anise Hyssop
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Bergamot


Aromatic Mint Tea
2 parts Spearmint
1 part Marjoram
1 part Sweet Woodruff
1 part Sage

Good Start Tea
2 parts Yarrow
2 parts Rose Hips
2 parts Lavender
1 part Marjoram
1 part Stevia


Chocolate Mint Tea
4 parts Chocolate Mint
3 parts Lavender
2 parts Sweet Woodruff
1 part Stevia
1 part Rose Hips


Black Licorice Tea
2 parts Anise Hyssop
2 parts Bergamot
2 parts Marjoram
2 parts Spearmint


Everything & More Tea
1 part Lavender
1 part Yarrow
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Stevia
1 part Spearmint
1 part Bergamot
1 part Rose Hips
1 part Calendula

Love Charm Tea
3 parts Yarrow
1 part Lavender
1 part Anise Hyssop
1 part Spearmint